Health care in America is changing rapidly. Twenty-five years ago, most people in the United States had indemnity insurance coverage. A person with indemnity insurance could go to any doctor, hospital, or other provider (which would bill for each service given), and the insurance and the patient would each pay part of the bill.

But today, more than half of all Americans who have health insurance are enrolled in some kind of managed care plan, an organized way of both providing services and paying for them. Managed care plans provide quality health care services, with more comprehensive benefits, more preventive services, and lower out-of-pocket expenses. By relying on prevention and more efficient allocation of resources managed care plans are generally able to provide health care at lower costs than other types of health insurance. The managed care system´s focus on wellness and prevention makes economic sense and good health sense.

Various types of managed care plans work differently and include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point-of-service (POS) plans. Newer coverage options include various consumer directed health plans as well as health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs).

The more you learn, the more easily you’ll be able to decide what fits your personal needs and budget. Please choose a topic below for more information:

Choosing a plan – what are my choices?

How do I compare health plans?

What plan benefits are offered?

Where do I get health coverage?

Common Questions Consumers Should Ask