Find the Florida Health Insurance Plans Right for You
Florida health insurance plans are usually available in various forms but most health benefits packages can be found in one of three main categories. These plans include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) programs, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) programs and Indemnity programs, each with its own requirements, benefits and restrictions. Each of these plans offers acceptable health coverage for most consumers, but the programs differ in restrictions, coverage, approved health providers and premium rates.
In an HMO, only health services received from an approved network-affiliated health care provider will be included in the plan, and all specialized health services must be referred by the assigned primary physician in order to be reimbursable. In a PPO plan, health care is covered at a higher level when you go to a network provider with discount network rates, but you may also use out-of-health network providers and receive a lesser reimbursement of your expenses. With an Indemnity coverage plan, you may visit any health care provider you wish, and you will have coverage for a fixed percentage reimbursement of your health care expenses. Out of these programs, HMO network plans will have the least expensive premium rates, while Indemnity insurance plans are quite comprehensive and are priced at the highest premiums.
When selecting between HMO, PPO or Indemnity plans, you should first determine whether your preferred doctors and hospitals are included in the HMO or PPO health provider network. Next, you should determine how much choice you would want in choosing health care specialists should you need these services. Finally, you will need to consider the trade-off between having more flexibility in choosing physicians, labs and hospitals versus the significantly more expensive premium prices associated with having more choices.