| If you're trying to decide between health | | | | hospitalizations, and treatment by specialists. |
| insurance plans, you'll find that there are several | | | | Some health insurance plans also offer benefits |
| different kinds from which to choose. It's | | | | that are called 'wellness benefits.' like discounts on |
| important that you weigh all your options carefully. | | | | health club memberships, stop-smoking classes, |
| Your health insurance, even with an employer | | | | and nutritional consultations.The main types of |
| contribution to the cost, is very likely to be your | | | | health insurance plans are:HMO - Health |
| largest regular monthly expense other than your | | | | Maintenance OrganizationsHMO benefits are |
| rent or mortgage. The plan you choose needs to | | | | geared toward keeping you healthy. They aim for |
| be more than affordable. It will affect your | | | | affordable health care costs by reducing the cost |
| family's choices in doctors and health care as long | | | | of annual physicals, well-child visits and other |
| as you are a member of that health insurance | | | | routine care by requiring you to pay a 'co-pay' - a |
| plan.Health insurance is like any other kind of | | | | small portion of the actual bill - for every visit to |
| insurance. You pay a monthly amount, called a | | | | your doctor, and the health insurance company |
| premium, to an insurance company in return for | | | | pays the rest. Most require that you choose a |
| 'benefits', to be paid out as needed. Depending on | | | | primary care physician, who takes the place of an |
| the kind of plan that you choose, those benefits | | | | old fashioned General Practitioner - the family |
| might include regular doctor's office visits, | | | | doctor who knew your medical history and |
| checkups, emergency room services and | | | | prescribed visits to specialists if needed. |