However, when the discussion revolves around health insurance, it generally focuses on the type of insurance offered by employers to their employees. This is the kind that covers medical bills, surgery, and hospital expenses and is often referred to as "Comprehensive" or "Major Medical" health insurance. When the dialogue turns to more general health care coverage, it is more likely that you'll hear terms such as "Fee-for-Service" or "Managed Care". Further, you'll most likely hear about certain kinds of managed care plans. These span the gamut from health maintenance organizations or HMOs to Preferred Provider Organizations or "PPOs", and Point-of-Service or "POS" plans.
While fee-for-service and managed care plans differ in significant ways, in some ways they are parallel. For example, both cover an assortment of medical, surgical, and hospital expenses, while most offer some coverage for prescription drugs, and some Telephone Number List include coverage for dentists and other providers. But there are many important differences that will make one or the other form of coverage the appropriate one for you and possibly your family. Coverage for a group is characteristically offered through many companies, although unions, professional associations, and other organizations also offer it.
As an employee benefit, group health insurance has many rewards. Much--although not all--of the cost is frequently absorbed by an employer, as premium overheads are often less due to group purchasing in large groups. In this arena, by enrolling when you first become eligible for coverage, you most likely will not be asked for proof that you are insurable. (Enrollment usually happens when you first take a job, and often during a certain period each year, which is called "Open Enrollment"). Some companies even offer their employees a choice of fee-for-service and managed care plans. Additionally, some group plans also offer dental insurance along with medical.