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Health
Insurance
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Traditional Health Insurance
Up until about 30 years ago, most people had
traditional indemnity coverage. These days, it's often known as
fee-for-service. Indemnity plans are a bit like auto insurance: you
pay a certain amount of your medical expenses up front in the form of
a deductible and afterward the insurance company pays the majority of
the bill.
Fee-For-Service For years, indemnity or fee-for-service coverage was the norm. Under this type of health coverage, you have complete autonomy when it comes to choosing doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. You can refer yourself to any specialist without getting permission, and the insurance company doesn't get to decide whether the visit was necessary. You don't, however, have complete autonomy. Most fee-for-service medicine is managed to a certain extent. For instance, if you're not already incapacitated, you may need to get clearance for a visit to the emergency room. On the down side, fee-for-service plans usually involve more out-of-pocket expenses. Often there is a deductible, usually of about $200, before the insurance company starts paying. Once you've paid the deductible, the insurer will kick in about 80 percent of any doctor bills. You may have to pay up front and then submit the bill for reimbursement, or your provider may bill your insurer directly.
Under fee-for-service plans, insurers will usually
only pay for reasonable and customary medical expenses, taking into
account what other practitioners in the area charge for similar
services. If your doctor happens to charge more than what the
insurance company considers reasonable and customary, you'll probably
have to make up the difference yourself. Fee-for-service plans often include a ceiling for out-of-pocket expenses, after which the insurance company will pay 100 percent of any costs. Traditional fee-for-service coverage offers flexibility in exchange for higher out-of-pocket expenses and is not for everyone. Shop around on your own or talk to an independent insurance agent to make sure you get a plan that's right for you. For more information and rates on short-term health insurance visit our specialist site below. |
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