| Mississippi health insurance premiums have more than | | | | you a set monthly fee, and you must pay a |
| doubled in the last 10 years, and are still on the rise. But | | | | co-payment (usually $5 to $10) when you see a |
| it's still possible to find cheap Mississippi health | | | | physician. |
| insurance with a reliable company. Here's how ... | | | | * PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) are similar |
| Low Income Health Insurance | | | | to HMOs, but cost slightly more because they allow |
| Mississippi provides two state programs for low | | | | you to see non-network physicians for an additional |
| income families and individuals. They are: | | | | fee. PPOs charge you for services as they are |
| * CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), which | | | | rendered, and you pay a $5 to $10 co-payment when |
| provides health insurance for Mississippi children up to | | | | you see a physician. |
| age 19 whose family income is less than two times the | | | | * POSs (Point of Service Plans) are a combination of |
| federal poverty level, and who do not qualify for | | | | an HMO and a PPO, and cost slighly more than either |
| Medicaid. | | | | plan. Like an HMO, you pay only a nominal fee for |
| * Medicaid, which provides health insurance for | | | | health care provided within the network, but like a PPO |
| low-income and disabled Mississippi residents. | | | | you have the advantage of seeing non-network |
| To find out if you qualify for either of these programs, | | | | physicians for an additional fee. |
| visit the Mississippi Medicaid website: dom.state.ms.us. | | | | *Indemnity Plans are the most expensive health |
| Middle and High Income Family Health Insurance | | | | insurance plans, but give you the most flexibility |
| If you don't qualify for low-income Mississippi health | | | | because you can use physicians and hospitals of your |
| insurance, you have a variety of private health | | | | choice. Your doctors sends your bill to the insurance |
| insurance plans available to you: | | | | company who pays most of it. You usually have a |
| * HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) are the | | | | deductible (the amount you must pay before you |
| cheapest health insurance plans because you are | | | | insurance company pays your bill), and you are |
| assigned to a network of physicians and hospitals that | | | | responsible for a portion of the bill (usually 20%). |
| you must use for your medical care. HMOs charge | | | | |