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Health care in America is changing rapidly. Twenty-five
years ago, most people in the United States had indemnity insurance coverage. A
person with indemnity insurance could go to any doctor, hospital, or other
provider (which would bill for each service given), and the insurance and the
patient would each pay part of the bill.
But today, more than half of all Americans who have health insurance are
enrolled in some kind of managed care plan, an organized way of both providing
services and paying for them. Different types of managed care plans work
differently and include preferred provider organizations (PPOs), health
maintenance organizations (HMOs), and point-of-service (POS) plans.
You've probably heard these terms before. But what do they mean, and what are
the differences between them? And what do these differences mean to you?
The Big Picture
This article can help you make sense of your choices for getting health care
insurance:
Even if you don't get to choose the health plan yourself, you still need to
understand what kind of protection your health plan provides and what you will
need to do to get the health care that you and your family need.
The more you learn, the more easily you'll be able to decide what fits your
personal needs and budget.
» Continue to - Choosing a Plan
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 Choosing a Plan
Indemnity Plan
Managed Care
Primary Care Doctors
Where Do I Get These Health Plans?
Pre-Existing Conditions
What Plan Benefits Are Offered?
What Is Most Important to Me in a Plan?
How Do I Compare Health Plans?
How Do I Find Out About Quality?
Tips on Choosing a Doctor
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