Find the Washington Health Insurance Plans Right for You
Washington health insurance plans are usually available in various formats but most health benefits packages will belong to one of three main categories. The main categories are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) programs, Preferred Provider Organization or PPO plans and Indemnity programs, each with unique benefits and restrictions. Each of these coverage plans offers acceptable health coverage for most of us, but the programs differ in requirements and restrictions, approved health providers and pricing.
In an HMO plan, only health care received from an approved network-affiliated health care provider will be covered under the plan, and all specialized health services must be referred by the assigned primary physician in order for the services to be covered. With PPO coverage, health care is covered at a higher level when you go to a network provider with negotiated in-network rates, but you may also use out-of-health network providers and receive a lower percentage reimbursement of your covered expenses. With an Indemnity type of insurance plan, you may visit any health care provider you wish, and you should be covered for a fixed percentage reimbursement of your covered health expenses. Among these programs, HMO network plans will have the lowest pricing rates, while Indemnity insurance plans are quite comprehensive and come with the most expensive premiums.
When choosing among HMO, PPO or Indemnity plans, you should decide first whether your preferred doctors and hospitals participate as part of the HMO or PPO network. Next, you should evaluate how much choice you might prefer in choosing health care specialists should you require one. Finally, you should consider the trade-off between having more flexibility in choosing physicians, specialists, labs and hospitals versus the significantly more expensive premium prices associated with having greater flexibility