Compare Health Insurance Companies Online
Get FREE Major Health Insurance Company Plan Quotes
Health insurance companies offer different types of plans for different situations and one major health insurance company may specialize in one type of coverage while others target different markets. The plan that is best for you may be different than what is best for someone else. Use the Internet to figure out which health care insurance company offers a plan that is right for you.
The leading online destination for obtaining health insurance coverage is eHealthInsurance, who offers over 10,000 products from more than 180 providers. eHealthInsurance lets you easily compare healthcare insurance companies, get FREE, no-obligation quotes instantly, and apply for coverage without leaving your computer.
Comparing Health Insurance Companies
There are some things you need to consider when comparing plans from major health insurance companies, such as:
- Length of Coverage - Do you need a short term policy, or do you need a more permanent solution? If you are between jobs, then a short term policy might fit the bill, but if you don't have coverage from an employer, you need a longer term solution.
- Amount of Coverage - Do you need coverage for emergency situations, or are you looking for a comprehensive plan? The more coverage a healthcare insurance company plan offers, the more it will cost you. Consider your intended use and find a plan that has the coverage you require.
- Out-of-Pocket Expense - Some plans have a lower premium but have higher annual deductibles, copayments, and other costs you are responsible for. If you will rarely use your health insurance, you should consider a plan with a lower monthly premium but higher out-of-pocket expenses. However, if you foresee utilizing your policy frequently, you should consider a higher premium plan that requires less financial layout when you use the services.
- Specialists - Some types of plans require you to have a referral before seeing a specialist, where others let you see whomever you want, assuming they are in your network. Consider how you will use your insurance and choose a plan that fits your needs.
- Physicians - If you see a particular doctor or receive care at a particular medical facility, make sure they are part of the network for the insurance plan you are considering. If a plan does not allow you to see doctors you are familiar with, it will be of no use to you.
- Annual Limits - A typical health insurance plan limits the amount you have to pay on an annual basis for the care you receive. Once you reach this annual limit, the health insurance company typically covers the remaining costs. Consider out-of-pocket maximums when comparing plans.
By visiting a website such as eHealthInsurance, you are able to compare the offerings of major healthcare insurance companies quickly online to find the plan that best fits what you are looking for.
Health Insurance Company Quotes
eHealthInsurance not only lets you easily find the type of health insurance plan that best fits your needs, but you can instantly get quotes from each health care insurance company that offers a compatible plan. Without getting up from your computer, you can research health insurance companies, find appropriate insurance plans, and apply for coverage.
You will always be getting the lowest possible quotes from eHealthInsurance, as the premium for a particular plan is approved by each state. This means that no matter where you purchase the coverage from, the premium for the exact same plan will be the same.
Visit eHealthInsurance to instantly get FREE, no-obligation quotes from leading health insurance companies.
How Health Insurance Works
Below is a video from eHealthInsurance using a hypothetical scenario to help explain how health coverage works.
Managed Care Plan Types Compared
| HMO | POS* | PPO | |
| Low Flexibility - HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) have the least amount of flexibility of the three managed care plan types as they require the insured to have a primary care physician who refers them to any other medical professionals. Care is all within the network of doctors that have contracted with the health insurance provider - this limits the provider options. If a medical professional or facility is not within the network, the insured will not have medical coverage if they choose to use them (unless it is an emergency). |  |  | |
| Moderate Flexibility - POS (Point of Service) plans are more flexible than the HMO plans, but not as flexible as the PPO plans. POS plans are a hybrid of both HMO and PPO, with the main component being a referral and co-pay based plan like an HMO where a primary care physician is picked, who then refers the insured to in-network medical professionals, and the insured is responsible for co-pays up to an annual out-of-pocket amount. A POS has an out-of-network option that is deductible, non-referral based that allows the insured to choose where to receive care, but expenses are out-of-pocket until the annual deductible limit has been met. This gives an option to a person that doesn't want to be locked into a totally referral based structure that an HMO provides. | | | |
| High Flexibility - PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are the most flexible of the three managed care plan types. There is no referral necessary to see a medical professional, which means the insured can seek care from whomever they wish, including both in-network and out of network providers. Costs will generally be lower for in-network providers, as the medical professionals have a contractual obligation to provide care at a negotiated rate. While care can be sought outside of the network, the insured will be faced with higher annual deductible amounts, possibly higher co-insurance amounts, and generally overall higher costs. | | | |
| In-Network Only - Healthcare must be received from a medical professional that is part of the network that contracts with the insurance provider. This network of medical professionals has a contract with the insurance company that states they will provide services for a set rate (depending on the service rendered), thus providing care at a discounted rate. If care is received from a medical professional outside of the network, the insurance provider most likely will not pay for the coverage (except for cases of emergencies). | | | |
| In & Out of Network - The insured may seek medical care within a network of healthcare professionals that have contracted with the insurance provider to provide care at a reduced cost. The insured may also seek medical care outside of the network, but their out-of-pocket expenses will be higher as care is not provided at a reduced rate. Maximum annual deductibles will be higher for out of network providers, greatly increasing the costs to the insured, giving them incentive to only seek care from an in-network provider. | | | |
| Referral Based - The insured must pick a primary care physician who provides referrals to other medical care professionals as needed. If you see a specialist without a referral, your costs most likely will not be covered by the insurance provider. | | | |
| Non-Referral Based - The insured does not need a referral to seek medical treatment from a healthcare professional. They may see whomever they wish, though it is in their best interest to see in-network providers to keep their costs low. | | | |
| Co-Pay Based - The insured is responsible for co-pays (for office visits and medical procedures) until an annual maximum out-of-pocket expense limit is reached, at which time coverage is paid for 100% by the insurance provider. | | | |
| Deductible Based - The insured pays for care out-of-pocket (at rates negotiated by the insurance company) until an annual deductible is met, at which time the insurance company starts to pay. Once the deductible is met, there may be a co-insurance amount (up to an annual maximum), which is a percentage of the bill the insured pays, such as 20%, where the insurance company picks up the tab for the rest. Depending on the plan, you may have a co-pay for certain things such as doctor office visits, though many PPOs don't use a co-pay. | | | |
| Low Cost - An HMO typically is the least expensive health coverage option, but gives you the least flexibility. | | | |
| Moderate Cost - A POS plan's price usually comes in somewhere between that of a comparable HMO and PPO. This is because it offers a bit of the benefits of both, while trying to contain costs. People looking for the low cost benefits of an HMO, yet a bit more flexibility (like a PPO) should consider a POS plan. | | | |
| Higher Cost - A PPO plan is the most flexible, but is usually the most expensive. You pay for the ability to pick and choose your medical professional, without being locked down to a primary care provider. If flexibility is what you want, you will pay a higher monthly premium. | | | |
*POS Plans - The most popular type of managed care plans are HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations). POS plans, while available, are not as common as the other two, so as you are comparing plan benefits and costs via eHealthInsurance's website, don't be surprised if all you see are HMOs and PPOs.
