Health Insurance in Houston
Maintaining your health and wellness is crucial for your everyday quality of life; however, medical services can require significant financial resources. Fortunately, health insurance can provide you and your family access to critical financial assistance, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and helping you afford essential health care. Still, health insurance can be complicated, so you must prioritize fully understanding your coverage to ensure your plan suits your needs.
What Health Insurance Is Best for Me?
There are many types of health insurance, and you may have various options for obtaining coverage. Employers may often offer enrollment in a group health plan that could allow you to enjoy coverage for lower rates. Alternatively, you can find your own plan and make personalized selections by shopping on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Regardless of where you get your coverage, familiarizing yourself with the following common types of health insurance plan designs can help you make informed decisions:
- Health maintenance organization (HMO)—These policies require you to select a primary care physician who manages your general health and makes referrals to specialists on your behalf. HMOs include an established network of providers and services, allowing for lower overall costs but potentially limiting your options when seeking covered care.
- Preferred provider organization (PPO)—These plans may provide coverage for out-of-network services, albeit at higher rates. PPOs generally include more flexibility than HMOs in exchange for higher premiums and deductibles.
- Point of service (POS)—POS plans combine several elements of HMOs and PPOs by having you select a primary care provider but allowing you to seek services from out-of-network health care professionals.
- Exclusive provider organization (EPO)—These arrangements can also be seen as a hybrid between HMOs and PPOs, as you are not required to establish a primary care physician or get referrals to visit specialists but are typically limited to seeing in-network providers.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost Per Month?
Insurance companies must consider many factors when determining your premiums, such as the following:
- Type of plan you have (e.g., PPO vs. HMO)
- Where you get coverage (e.g., employer-sponsored plan or Medicare, etc.)
- Number of insureds
- Ages of insureds
- Policy details (e.g., coverage limits and deductibles)
- Location
- Lifestyle habits (e.g., tobacco use)
When Is Health Insurance Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is an annual period when many people purchase or adjust their health insurance policies. The enrollment period for Marketplace plans typically takes place starting Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, although some states have made slight adjustments to this timespan. In addition, employers offering group plans may have different enrollment periods.
We’re Here to Help
At Multiservices by Veronica Moreno, we understand that health insurance is a complicated subject. However, we also know that having the right coverage is critical. With this in mind, we are fully committed to helping you understand your options and secure an ideal plan. Contact us today to learn more.