Insurance Basics: Home

Choosing a Health Plan

Your employer may offer more than one health plan, or you may be shopping for your own individual plan.

Choosing a Health Plan
Planning Your Costs Based on Where You Get Care

Your plan may have different rules and costs for different healthcare settings. In any setting, you may have to pay a copay, and in some cases, coinsurance. But, these may be waived for preventive services like flu shots and mammograms.

Planning Your Costs Based on Where You Get Care
In-Network and Out-of-Network Care

Your plan contracts with a wide range of doctors and other practitioners, as well as hospitals, labs, radiology facilities, pharmacies and other providers. These are the providers in your “network”. Each of these providers has agreed to take your plan´s contracted rate as payment in full for services.

Code Modifiers: How they Affect You

Doctors and insurers use standard codes for each medical service or supply. That helps them communicate about treatments and payments clearly.

Health Insurance ID Cards

Your health insurance ID card is your proof of insurance. You use it when you visit the doctor, hospital or other provider.

Using Health Insurance While Traveling

If you’re planning a trip, the last thing you may want to think of is healthcare. But accidents and illnesses can happen on the road as well as at home. Here are the basics on using health insurance while traveling.

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