Healthcare Plans? (monthly fee, health insurance, small business, corporations)

[kcrossley]

I'm trying to decide on a healthcare plan for me and my family. I own a small business (LLC) and I don't know where to start. When I was employed by larger companies in the past I've tried everything from HMOs to PPOs.

I've found that the HMOs were pretty limited in terms of doctors, but there were really no out-of-pocket costs beyond the monthly fees and perhaps prescriptions. I found the PPOs were better in terms of physician choices, but sometimes finding doctors that participate in a specific plan was difficult.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[christina0001]

From my limited experience, I found PPOs better. But I think it really depends on the plan specifics and where you live.

[lilypad]

You can try the NASE website. I got my insurance through them.

[golfgal]

Personally I wouldn't go with either a PPO or an HMO and get a private policy through a Blue Cross/Blue Shield type company. If you are going to pay for a policy you might as well be able to determine what is covered and what isn't. You will also not have to worry about getting referals, etc. Also, usually PPO's and HMO's are for larger corporations with many employees.

Do you have health insurance now? If you do you should be able to get coverage without any pre-existing condition clauses. If you don't have health insurance now plan on filling out a lengthy application with every trip you ever made to the doctor and finding some things might not be covered for a while.

[PureHapa]

Blue Cross and other insurance company will have you choose from PPOs, HMOs, etc. Those are plans offered.

I found that the quality of an HMO will vary depending on the insurance company and the area. My area has a high participation of local doctors and hospitals in the common HMO plans. I've also discovered that if you choose an HMO, the primary care physician you choose is critical in determining the type of care you get. You could choose a physician who is too busy to see you and makes you wait for months for an appt. and doesn't like to refer you to specialists, or one who is part of a group who will see you that day and will refer you whenever you ask - both within the same HMO. People don't realize this.

Try your question in a state forum - insurance varies a lot from area to area.

[Sgoldie]

I'd call my own doctor's office to see what they take, and recommend.

[fopt65]

Some business' are going to HSA's. Basically they are high deductible plans. Whatever money you don't spend on the deductible can be put into a tax deferred account. The premiums are cheaper than HMOs and PPOs, but more of a risk is placed on the policyholder than the insurance company.

[jhlcomp]

We have a small business and we use Aetna. What state are you in?

In Florida, as a small business, we don't have many choices. However, with the Aetna plan, there are a great many choices - it just depends on your requirements.

PPOs are great if someone else is footing the bill and, even with PPOs, you need to do your research thoroughly.

Let me know if I can help - insurance is difficult.