Getting sick can be expensive as even minor illnesses and injuries can cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat.  Health insurance helps you get the care you need and protects you and your family financially if you get sick or injured.

If you don’t have health insurance through your job or a government program, you can buy it from an insurance company or agent. Here are 3 types of enrollment that you choose from as stated by the Texas Department of Insurance:

1) Open Enrollment

Open enrollment normally happens between November 1 to January 31 each year and you must try to buy insurance between these days. In case, you have some other reasons like getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving, or losing your current coverage, then you may go for insurance after the open enrollment time is over.

2) Preexisting Conditions

Irrespective of whatever conditions you may have, no insurance provider can deny you a health insurance if you have applied during the open enrollment.

3) Premium

A premium is something you pay to enjoy un-interrupted coverage. The insurance provider can choose your premium based on your age, location among many other factors.

It is important that you showcase your medical report while taking such insurance, because what if you were smoking, drinking during those days and you might require some more covers in the policy that you opt for.

There are four types of major medical health benefit plans in Texas:

•             Point-of-service plans

•             HMO plans

•             Preferred provider (PPO) plans, and

•             Exclusive provider (EPO) plans.

Point-Of-Service Plans

These plans ensure that you negotiate agreements with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to treat the plan’s members at a discounted rate. You must choose a doctor from the plan’s network to oversee all of your health care. This doctor is called your primary care physician and you will have to pay more in-case of any diagnosis from a doctor out of the network.

HMO Plans

They are similar to point-of-service plans. The major difference between them is that you can go to other doctors as well. HMOs operate within specific geographic service areas. To be in an HMO, you usually must live or work in its service area.

PPO Plans

PPOs have networks of providers that have agreed to treat the PPO’s members at a discounted rate. The difference between an HMO and a PPO is that a PPO allows you to go to any doctor you choose. Your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you use providers in the PPO’s network, though. In addition, you'll probably have to pay a separate deductible and higher copayments and coinsurance for care you receive outside the network. You don’t have to choose a primary care physician in a PPO.

EPO Plans

EPOs also negotiate agreements with doctors and hospitals to provide care to their members at a discounted rate. You must use doctors and hospitals in the EPO's network. An EPO won’t pay for care you receive outside its network. There are exceptions for medical emergencies and for medically necessary care that isn’t available in the EPO’s network.

For more information visit: https://www.customhealthplans.com