How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan

Having health insurance is required in Sandy, UT if you do not want to pay a tax penalty, and with so many options, choosing a plan can be overwhelming.

Your first step is that you will want to compare different types of health insurance plans with your agent at The Smith Insurance Group, Inc., so you know what the best fit for you is. You will find different acronyms for plans, so you need to know what those mean as well.

  • HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): These plans are good if you want a lower out-of-pocket cost and are okay with having a primary care doctor who will give you referrals to see specialists.
  • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): If you want more doctor options and don’t want to be required to see a primary care doctor for a referral, this plan allows for that.
  • POS (Point of Service Plan): This is similar to an HMO, but you have more provider options.

Looking at your family’s medical needs can help you decide which plan is right. If you need to see specialists often, you should choose a PPO.

Next, you will want to compare health plan networks. You want to be able to go to an in-network doctor so that your costs remain lower. If you notice that a plan doesn’t have a lot of doctors that are close by, this might not be the right plan for you. When comparing each option, you want to compare out-of-pocket costs. Plans will have these laid out so you know how much it’s going to be if you visit your primary care doctor, a specialist, or want to know what prescriptions could cost. Compare benefits on each plan, so you are covered for your specific medical needs, whether that’s a particular medication or getting sick abroad for frequent travelers.

Contact The Smith Insurance Group, Inc., serving Sandy, UT, to get a quote on health insurance and to discuss a plan.