| Thanks to the high cost of health care, the average | | | | allow you to see non-network physicians by paying an |
| cost for family health insurance is now more than | | | | extra fee. Some PPOs have deductibles of $500 to |
| $10,000 a year. But there are ways to get affordable | | | | $2,000, and co-payments average $5 to $10. |
| health insurance. Here's how ... | | | | PPOs are the least restrictive but the most expensive |
| Types of Family Health Insurance | | | | of the family health insurance plans. |
| The two most common family health care plans are | | | | Which Plan is Best for You |
| HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPOs | | | | If you want a plan with the least amount of |
| (Preferred Provider Organizations). | | | | paperwork, the cheapest premiums, and the cheapest |
| HMOs | | | | out-of-pocket expenses, then an HMO is what you're |
| With an HMO you are assigned to a network of health | | | | looking for. If you want to be able to use a doctor of |
| care providers whom you must see for all your health | | | | your choice or you have a chronic condition such as |
| care needs. There are usually no deductibles (the | | | | asthma or arthritis, then a PPO is your best choice. |
| amount you pay before your insurer pays a claim), and | | | | Affordable Family Health Insurance |
| co-payments are around $5 to $10 per visit. | | | | In order to get the most affordable family health |
| You are also assigned a primary care physician who | | | | insurance plan, you need to compare rates. The |
| oversees your health care, and if you need to see a | | | | easiest way to do this is to go to an insurance |
| specialist you'll need to get permission from him or her. | | | | comparison website where you can get rates from a |
| HMOs are the most restrictive but the least expensive | | | | number of different companies. |
| of the family health insurance plans. | | | | On the best comparison sites you can get answers to |
| PPOs | | | | all your health insurance questions, online or by phone, |
| PPOs also assign you to a health care network, but | | | | from insurance professionals. (See link below. |