Home >> Individuals

Individuals

Group health plans are typically determined by the employer. Generally speaking, the employee is bound by the requirements of the kind of plan or plans their business has adopted. In some cases, employees can customize group health insurance to best meet their needs and budget.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Numquam expedita enim quae modi eligendi assumenda amet dolores nihil ab eos incidunt autem reiciendis voluptatem, nam aspernatur sit, aliquam eveniet eum!

internet_privacy_faq

Agent

vision_plan_faq Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Numquam expedita enim quae modi eligendi assumenda amet dolores nihil ab eos incidunt autem reiciendis voluptatem, nam aspernatur sit, aliquam eveniet eum!

Header 1

Header 2

Header 3

Header 4

Header 5

Header 6

Orderder list:

item 1
item 2
1. sub list item 1
2. sub list item 2
3. sub list item 3
4. sublist item 4
item3
item 4

Unordered list

item 1
item 2
- sub list item 1
- sub list item 2
- sub list item 3
- sublist item 4
item3
item 4

Blockquote

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod bibendum ultricies, dolor erat imperdiet sem, quis elementum elit ipsum ut turpis. In vel ante metus ut volutpat gravida, magna ante euismod velit, vel venenatis turpis turpis sit amet dui.

Center Aligned text

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod

Right Aligned text

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh

Paragraph spacing test

Lorem ipsum dolor bold sit amet, consectetuer italic adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh link euismod tincidunt ut laoreet strike dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum.

Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum.

Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.

Left aligned image:

Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius.

Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum.

Right aligned image:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.

Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum.

big_biz_faq2

Small Business Group Health Insurance

Advantages of PPO Plans	Disadvantages of PPO Plans
Choice of Doctor PPO networks tend to be much broader than with HMO networks. If members see a non-network provider, the majority of PPO plans will still cover a portion of the cost (it will still be less than they would pay for an in-network provider).	CostPPO plans are generally more expensive than HMO health insurance plans because they provide more flexibility.
No Primary Care Physician RestrictionsMembers will not likely have to designate a Primary Care Physician (PCP) or obtain referrals before visiting a specialist if they are members of a PPO.	More PaperworkPPOs often require more paperwork than comparable HMO plans. Customer service and billing problems are often more frequent with PPO plans as well. ⁴
Better Coverage for Chronic Conditions and Non-traditional MedicinePeople with chronic conditions like back pain, allergies, and arthritis tend to be more satisfied with PPO plans. A PPO may also cover non-traditional treatment such as chiropractic care or acupuncture.	Out-of-Network CostsIf members see an out-of-network doctor, they may be required to pay the entire bill and then submit it for reimbursement.Members might have to pay a deductible if they choose to go outside of the PPO network, or pay the difference between what network doctors and out-of-network doctors charge.
Lower Co-PaymentsPPOs provider members with a financial incentive. PPOs offer reasonable co-payments (also called co-pays) as an encouragement to stay within the group’s network of practitioners.Standard co-payments are $10 for a routine office visit during regular hours.	Higher DeductiblesThe PPO deductible is often the highest among small to mid-size employers and becoming more costly every year. The median deductible for individual coverage for PPO plans was $1,000 in 2008, for example, up from $500 in 2007 and $250 in 2000, according a national survey of health plans by Mercer, a human resources consulting firm.

No Referrals NecessaryMembers may go to any specialist without permission, as long as the doctor participates in the network.	PPO plans may charge higher co-payments if the physician charges more than what the PPO deems “reasonable and customary.”⁵

	Indemnity / Fee For Service	HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)	PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)	POS (Point-of-Service Plan)	HSA (Health Savings Account)	HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement)	FSA (Flexible Savings Account)
Who is this Plan Best For?	People who want a wide range of freedom to choose the physician and hospital of their choice.	People with families, those interested in preventitive care, and those requiring ongoing care.	People who want an HMO style plan with more freedom of choice.	Many plan users who can select HMO, PPO or FFS payment methods at the time of service.	Young and healthy workers. Careful health care users above median income levels. Self-employed. Small businesses.	Businesses looking for affordable ways to offer health care.	Anyone with qualified medical expenses who does not have an HSA or HRA.
Flexibility in Choosing physician?	High	Limited	Moderate	Moderate-High	High	Depends on Plan HRA is coupled with	N/A
Deductible	Varies	Lowest to Moderate	Moderate	Moderate-High	High. 2007 minimum deductible for individual coverage is $1,100. Minimum for family coverage is $2,200.	High	N/A
Monthly Premiums	High	Lowest	Moderate	Moderate-High	Lowest	Lowest	N/A
Copayments / Coinsurance	Insured pays 10%-20% coinsurance for medical expenses, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, etc.	Pay low copayment for medical expenses, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, etc.	Pay low to medium copayment for medical expenses, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, etc.	Depends on method of payment plan selected at time of service.	Savings account is used to pay for qualified medical expenses. When funds in account are used up, catastrophic plan pays once out-of-pocket maximums are met. 2007 maximum annual out-of-pocket amount for individuals is $5,500. Maximum for family coverage is $11,000.	Savings account is used to pay for qualified medical expenses. When funds in account are used up, catastrophic plan pays once out-of-pocket maximums are met.	Savings account is used to pay for qualified medical expenses.
Do Funds Rollover?	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Yes.	No.	No.
Who puts money into the savings account?	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Employee, Employer, or Both. Self-Employed.	Employer	Employee, Employer, or Both.
Does the Account Generate Interest?	No savings, unless coupled with FSA.	No savings, unless coupled with FSA.	No savings, unless coupled with FSA.	No savings, unless coupled with FSA.	Yes	No	No
Mobile When You Change Jobs?	Under COBRA provisions	Under COBRA provisions	Under COBRA provisions	Under COBRA provisions	Yes	No	No
Contribution Limits	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	IRS designated 2007 contribution maximum for individual coverage is $2,850. The maximum for family coverage $5,650. Those over 55 can contribute $800 extra.	Set by company.	Set by company.
Are Employee Contributions Taxed?	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	N/A	Does not apply.	Usually not.	Does not apply.	Usually not.
Are Medical Reimbursements Taxed?	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	No.	No.	No.
Can Funds be used for non-medical Purposes?	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Does not apply.	Yes, with penalty.	No.	No.

^*Derived with permission from the Minnesota Department of Health/Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse.