Health Insurance

Having the right health insurance coverage to suit your needs is essential to your overall well-being. Health insurance helps pay medical expenses, including treatment for severe medical conditions and preventive care. This coverage may reduce how much it costs to get necessary health care. Contact our agency to learn more about your health insurance options and to get a quote.

Is Health Insurance Required?

There are no laws that require individuals to carry health insurance. Access to health insurance coverage can help minimize the costs of preventive care and medical treatment. With a health insurance plan, you’ll have access to doctors and hospitals, typically at a lower price than you’d pay if you were uninsured. If you need assistance determining which health insurance options best suit your needs, contact an agent.

What Are My Health Insurance Options?

There are several health insurance plans and additional coverage options to help you access necessary health care services, including:

• Individual and family plans.
• Group health insurance plans.
• Vision and dental insurance.
• Prescription insurance.
• Health savings accounts (HSAs).
• Disability insurance.
• Supplemental insurance.
• Long-term care (LTC) insurance.
• Travel health insurance.
• Medical expense health insurance.

Our agents can help evaluate your situation, recommend coverages that fit your budget and help you choose a health insurance company.

3 things to know before you pick a health insurance plan

Choosing a health insurance plan can be complicated. Knowing just a few things before you compare plans can make it simpler.

• The 4 “metal” categories: There are 4 categories of health insurance plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories show how you and your plan share costs. Plan categories have nothing to do with quality of care.
• Your total costs for health care: You pay a monthly bill to your insurance company (a “premium”), even if you don’t use medical services that month. You pay out-of-pocket costs, including a deductible, when you get care. It’s important to think about both kinds of costs when shopping for a plan.
• Plan and network types —

HMO, PPO, POS, and EPO: Some plan types allow you to use almost any doctor or health care facility. Others limit your choices or charge you more if you use providers outside their network.  Depending on how many plans are offered in your area, you may find plans of all or any of these types at each metal level – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.  Some examples of plan types you’ll find in the Marketplace:

• Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): A managed care plan where services are covered only if you use doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan’s network (except in an emergency).
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won’t cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage. HMOs often provide integrated care and focus on prevention and wellness.
• Point of Service (POS): A type of plan where you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s network. POS plans require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A type of health plan where you pay less if you use providers in the plan’s network. You can use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network without a referral for an additional cost.