Thursday, January 29, 2009

Health Insurance - Managed Care Health Plans

By Jordan FeRoss

A managed care health plan works as a network. It is a group of medical personnel and facilities that have a contract with this particular plan. They all work together to offer medical services to those that are members. For the most part, this plan has requirements that members use the medical personnel and facilities within the plan's network. In a nutshell, using this plan is limited as far as providers, but benefits you on the cost. Health care insurance in Texas uses this overall plan.

Usually, managed health care plans are less expensive than other health care plans. When it comes to health care insurance in Texas, managed care plans extend lower rates because they have handpicked the providers that have agreed to their predetermined rates and fees. The providers also agree to avoid unnecessary tests and procedures in order to help keep costs down. Managed care health plans also provide benefits that encourage members to stay healthy, like help to quit smoking, in order to avoid more expensive health problems later in life.

The managed care health system uses three types of plans:

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) - An HMO requires you to use the doctors and hospitals in their network. This is fairly standard with most health insurance in Texas. An HMO requires members to choose a primary care physician from their network of providers. The PCP must approve all procedures and visits to specialists. Patients pay a deductable for every office visit.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) - A PPO allows for slightly more options because you can go to any doctor you choose. The downside of that is that you will pay more for doctors that are out of the network. As with most health insurance options in Texas, you are better off sticking with providers in the PPO network.

POS (Point Of Service) - This optional plan allows you to use doctors and other medical services outside of the HMO network. Also, you are not required to get a referral. Doctors and other providers used outside of the network will require you to pay more, even for health care insurance in Texas.

For health care insurance in Texas, you are required to pay a premium in order to keep the health plan active. For certain medical services, such as surgeries, you may be required to pay a deductible before the insurance will pay anything. The deductible is an out-of-pocket expense that you provide. Depending on what insurance plan you choose, you will pay that certain deductible amount before your insurance kicks in.

Co-pays are another cost consideration for anyone choosing a health insurance plan in Texas. You usually need to cover your co-pays for every doctor and hospital visit and when filling prescriptions, even once you meet your deductible. With several managed care insurance plans (especially an HMO), there are limits to a patient's out-of-pocket annual expenses so costs do not get out of control.

Since there are so many variables involved with health insurance plans, it is important to consider your choices wisely before making a decision that can have a dramatic effect on your physical and financial health over the years.

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