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Individual & Family Health Insurance
Are you confused or frustrated trying to sort through the plethora of health insurance options for you or your family? Well, you are certainly not alone. At ALLPOINTE, we do our best to educate you and help you find the plan that fits you best. Insurance carriers regularly introduce new plan varieties, responding to the needs of their customers and changes in the industry.
Below is a general summary of the different types of plans available in the individual market today, including highlights of the positive and negative aspects of each. Click here to start a quote now!
PPO Plans
The distinguishing characteristics for all PPO plans are choice and flexibility. Members get to choose physicians, specialists, and medical facilities from a wide range of options inside the carrier's network -- and also have the option to receive medical care outside of that network. PPO options include:
High-Deductible PPO (sometimes referred to as "catastrophic coverage")
What people like: Ability to choose providers and self-refer; lowest monthly premiums; deductible waived for preventative care and prescription drugs; protection personal assets in the event of large medical bills due to unforeseen injury or illness.
What people don't like: Paying out of pocket for non-preventative care before deductible is met.
Examples: Blue Shield PPO 5000, Blue Shield PPO 2000, Blue Cross PPO 3500, PacifiCare PPO 3000
Traditional PPO
What people like: Same as the high-deductible PPO, except for monthly premiums.
What people don't like: Higher premiums; paying out of pocket for non-preventative care before deductible.
Examples: Blue Cross PPO 1000, Blue Cross PPO 500, Blue Shield PPO 750, PacifiCare PPO 1000
Health Savings Account (HSA)-compatible PPO (Highly recommended for most individuals):
What people like: Choice and flexibility; low monthly premiums; lowest out of pocket maximums among PPO plans; potential income tax savings of up to ~$1,700; fully portable HSA account; ability to use HSA funds for dental expenses.
What people don't like: Added step of setting up an HSA account with a bank; paying out of pocket for non-preventative care and prescription drugs before deductible is met.
Other PPO options (variations and combinations of the above three)
Examples: Blue Cross RightPlan PPO 40; Blue Shield ActiveChoice 35; PacifiCare HDHP PPO 1000
HMO Plans
All HMO plans require the subscriber to choose a primary care physician (PCP). This physician coordinates the subscribers medical care. The PCP refers the subscriber to specialists within the same medical group as needed.
Traditional HMO
What people like: Minimal cost when services are needed (co-pay).
What people don't like: Restrictions on choice of providers; must obtain referral to specialist; high monthly premiums.
Examples: Blue Cross HMO, Health Net HMO 15, Blue Shield Access+ HMO
Reduced-Cost HMO
What people like: Same as traditional HMO, plus lower monthly premiums.
What people don't like: Deductible or higher co-pay for hospital stays and outpatient surgery.
Examples: Blue Cross HMO Saver, Health Net HMO 40
Click here to start a quote now!
Still confused? Please call your ALLPOINTE broker at 888-992-2244 or click here to email and we will be pleased to answer your questions. | 
