Comparing Health Insurance Georgia Plans

Georgia residents have many different options when it comes to health insurance Georgia plans. Many people are not familiar with the different terms and descriptions of the types of health insurance Georgia policies that they have to choose from. The two main categories of health insurance Georgia plans are indemnity and managed care. Indemnity health insurance Georgia policies have no network restrictions, so members may see any physician they want at any time. Often, they have to pay the charges in full, and then file claims in order to be reimbursed. These health insurance Georgia policies tend to be more expensive than the other category of plans. However, they are ideal for those individuals who can afford them, and who want to have the freedom to see any physician they want. Managed care health insurance Georgia plans are different in that they do use a network of health services providers. Members of this health insurance Georgia plans receive higher benefits if they see a network physician. They may or may not receive any benefits at all if they see a health care provider outside the network, depending on the plan. Providers who become part of a managed care network agree to lower rates, so members have to pay a percentage of a lower charge than would be considered standard. This is another huge advantage to members of a managed care health insurance Georgia plan. Within the managed care health insurance Georgia plan category, there are three main different types of plans. They vary on their restrictions and requirements, particularly in regard to the network of providers. The most restrictive managed care health insurance Georgia plan is the HMO, Health Maintenance Organization, and plan. An HMO plan requires members to designate one primary care physician (PCP), who will oversee all of their medical care. If the member wants to see a specialist or another physician, the PCP must write out a referral beforehand. Members do not receive any benefits at all if they see a physician who is outside of the health insurance Georgia plan network. The HMO network of providers is typically the smallest network, compared to the other types of plans, because they get paid at lower rates. The Preferred Provider Organization, PPO, plan is the most flexible of the managed care health insurance Georgia plans. The PPO plan does not require members to designate a primary care physician. Members enrolled in a PPO health insurance Georgia plan may go see any physician or specialist they want, without referrals. However, if they see a provider from outside the network, they will receive lower benefits and will be responsible for higher costs. If they see a provider within the health insurance Georgia plan network, they will receive higher benefits, pay less, and not have to file any paperwork for reimbursement. The PPO network of health care providers is typically the largest. A Point of Service, POS, and plan is in between the HMO and PPO plan. There is a primary care physician, and members may go to out of network providers. The levels of benefits still vary depending on whether you see an in network or out of network provider. The information given above should help you make a wise decision about what kind of health insurance Georgia plan will work best for you and your family.