Most people, are simply not able to adequately understand the health insurance industry. And because of this lack of understanding, they find it difficult to choose the right type of health care plan. There are certain basics about health care plans that you should know and questions you should raise before deciding which health plan Is best suited for you and your family..

Before you start the process of choosing the right health plans, the first thing you need to understand is coverage. Although the same condition pertaining to emergency care is mentioned in many plans, it does not mean that a plan pays the total cost of emergency care. Some plans cover 80% of the expenses incurred while others 50%. When you shop for health plans, please remember that what you are actually shopping for is the kind of coverage that is most beneficial to you. The next thing you need to know is there are four basic types of health plans available to people who do not receive Medicare or Medi-Cal. and basic understanding of each of these plans is essential to select the one that best suits your needs.

INDEMNITY INSURANCE : is the traditional insurance which most people are familiar with. It pays for most of your health problems, but does not pay for preventive health care. Again, indemnity insurance does not cover the total cost but is usually limited to a percentage of the billed amount. Under an indemnity plan, you can see any doctor or hospital you want, but remember the monthly premium is usually higher than other types of health plans.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) : covers bulk of your health care needs, including medical check-ups, immunizations and hospitalization, for a relatively small co-payment. With an HMO there are no claim forms but you are restricted to using only doctors and hospitals affiliated with your plan. A list of affiliated physicians is provided by the HMO.

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) : is a similar type of plan and functions in much the same way as an HMO.

Preferred Provider Organization : (PPO covers many of your health care needs for a small per-visit fee if you choose from the list of "preferred providers." You of course can choose to see a doctor not on the list, but you will have to pay part of the bill and may have to pay a deductible. Some PPOs do require claim forms.

Point of Service (POS) : plan offers you two different choices each time you use health care services: One choice is to use the plan just like a HMO and the other choice is to use your health plan just like an indemnity plan. When using your health plan like indemnity insurance, you are generally responsible for a deductible and a percentage of your bill.

The most important tip is never waiting till you fall sick to avail a health care plan. You must understand it requires quite a bit of pre-study before you can finalize the right health plan for you. If you are in a hurry and select a plan unthinkingly, you will end up with problems. Give yourself at least two months to do your homework for choosing the best-suited plan.

The first step in choosing a health plan that is right for you is choosing a doctor who is right for you. If you have a doctor you like, find out the plans in which your doctor participates. Lastly, think of the hospitals and health facilities you need or prefer most. Find out which hospitals are affiliated with which plans. Ask for an insurance brochure for each plan you are interested in. After reading over the insurance brochures, take the time to ask yourself some questions. If you cannot find an answer, or you are not satisfied with the answer you get, move on to another brochure.