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Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses that are incurred by the insured. Health insurance can reimburse the insured for expenses incurred from illness or injury, or pay the care provider directly. It is often included in employer benefit packages as a means of enticing quality employees. The cost of health insurance premiums is deductible to the payer, and benefits received are tax-free. Health insurance can be purchased through many different sources. Private health insurance plans are typically purchased through a broker, an insurance company, or an employer. Public health insurance plans are provided by the government, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Some employers provide health insurance as an employee benefit. Health insurance plans typically cover a portion of the costs of doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and other medical expenses. Most plans also have limits on the amount of coverage they will provide. Out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles, may still be the responsibility of the insured. When searching for health insurance, it is important to compare plans to ensure that you are getting the best coverage for your needs and budget. Questions to consider include the types of services covered, deductibles, co-pays,
In this JAMA Health Forum post, Executive Vice President Larry Levitt recalls the mid-1990s’ public backlash against Health Maintenance Organizations (commonly known as HMOs) – all of which preceded the recent outpouring of health insurance concerns – as well as how consumer protections against coverage restrictions have evolved and fallen short.
Since the Trump administration began firing federal workers, they say they feel overwhelmed, have obtained or considered seeking psychiatric care and medication, and are anxious about paying their bills. And soon, their health insurance will run out.
After leaving his job to launch his own business, an Illinois man opted for a six-month health insurance plan. When he needed a colonoscopy, he thought it would cover most of the bill. Then he learned his plan’s limited benefits would cost him plenty.
This brief focuses on consumers’ understanding of health insurance costs and examines existing federal protections that seek to address barriers to understanding the cost of coverage and care, such as price transparency, self-service price estimator tools, and simplifying cost-sharing designs.