Affordable Health Insurance Plans

COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, federal legislation that allows you – if you work for an insured employer group of 20 or more employees – to continue to purchase health insurance for up to 18 months if you lose your job, or your employer-sponsored coverage is otherwise terminated.

As a member of a PPO, you will seek treatment from an approved network of providers, or you can see healthcare providers outside the network. These healthcare providers have been contracted by the insurance company to provide services at a discounted rate. Normally you can see any doctor or specialist within the network at your own discretion, and will not be required to select a PCP. Usually you will pay a small copay and satisfy a deductible before benefits are paid. If you go outside the PPO network for healthcare services, your share of the bill will be higher.

HMOs are managed care plans that provide care for enrollees by contracting with specific health care providers to provide specified benefits. Many HMOs require enrollees to see a primary care physician (PCP) chosen by the member who will refer them to a specialist if deemed necessary. HMO plans often do not include deductibles, but copays are charged per office. HMO plans typically allow a member to have lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, but require the member to forego some choice and flexibility with regard to selecting physicians and hospitals. Additionally, HMOs do not cover non-emergent services received from providers outside the network. HMOs do not require members to submit claims to the insurance carrier.

You can request that your health insurance plan start anytime between 1 and 90 days in the future. However, the insurance companies will typically need some time to process your application so keep in mind that the actual date for the start of your coverage may vary depending on the underwriting process and the availability of your medical records.

The date your health insurance coverage begins.