When beginning a search for health insurance quote online, the candidate should understand a few keywords.

1. HMO – stands for Health Maintenance Organization.  This is the most popular form of health insurance today.  Members with HMO coverage –prepay their monthly premium and are entitles to health care provided by the HMO’s listed providers.
2. In- Network – refers to the physicians, hospitals and other health care providers who have contracted with the HMO and which the member can utilize to resolve a health condition.
3. Out-of-Network – providers or health care institutions that are not listed in the health plan’s network.  Use of out-of-network services needs to be approved by the carrier.
4. PPO – stands for Preferred Provider Organization.  PPO coverage is generally more flexible than HMO coverage.  PPO plans have provisions for out-of-network services.  The member may still have liabilities for the use of the services.
5. POS – stands for Point of Service coverage.  POS coverage combines features of HMO and PPO plans, but the member must have a primary care physician in the PPO network.
6. Pre-existing Conditions – these are conditions for which the member has received previous treatment or diagnosis or care prior to the initiation of a new health insurance plan.
7. Primary Care Physician – The primary care physician is an –in-network physician who serves as the member’s primary medical consultant in an HMO or PPO plan.  The primary care physician coordinates by a series of referrals all approved procedures and appointments.
8. Health Care Provider – as stated in the health insurance policy, the health care provider is a doctor, hospital, laboratory, nurse, or anyone who provides actual health care services.

For the most part, all health insurance plans dictate the member’s entitlements to the use of these services in their policies.  The relationship of all these terms should be at the core of the selection process of an individual or family health insurance plan.

A recent repost showed health care costs escalating by as much as 20% per year.  In these turbulent economic times, the responsible selection of a health insurance plan takes research and an aggressive approach.

Health insurance quote from various online providers will usually generate several competitive responses.  The request for a quote is a non-binding, free request for information.  Unlike local healthy insurance providers, online health insurers draw from a large base of carriers to locate plans available in your area.  The carriers are recognized and reputable names in the industry.  The online provider then works with the candidate to help select the best available coverage.  Help control today’s health costs and get a quote form an online provider today.