Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that typically pays for medical, surgical, prescription drug and sometimes dental expenses incurred by the insured. Health insurance can reimburse the insured for expenses incurred from illness or injury, or pay the care provider directly.

• Prepaid health plans in which you pay a monthly premium and the HMO covers your cost of care to see doctors within their network at pre-negotiated rates.
• You must choose a primary care physician who coordinates all of your care and makes referrals to any specialists you might need.
• If you are an HMO member and you do not use the doctors, hospitals and clinics that participate in your plan’s network, you will usually bear the cost of the medical services

• A network of health care providers that have agreed to provide medical services to a health plan’s members at a discounted rate.
• PPO members are typically able to see specialists without going through a primary care physician like HMO members.
• The cost to use physicians within the PPO network is less than using a non-network provider.

• A tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the US who are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• The funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit.
• HSA’s are owned by the individual, and all funds roll over and accumulate year over year if not spent.
• Funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability.
• Withdrawals for non-medical expenses are treated very similarly to those in an IRA, in that they may provide tax advantages if taken after retirement age, and they incur penalties if taken earlier.
• These accounts are a component of consumer driven health care.