Information on the United States Health Care Plans

There are numerous health care plans in the United States. Most Americans receive their health care through their employer. Some people receive insurance through the state and federal government while others are uninsured or underinsured.

Types

• In the United States there are two main types of health care plans: private and public. Private health care is provided by insurance companies while public health care is provided by the government.

Function

• Health insurance plans help minimize the out-of-pocket costs people pay for medical procedures and doctor's visits. These plans don't cover everything like cosmetic surgeries.

Features

• Health insurance consists of a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. In a PPO, people choose their own doctors, while in an HMO a main doctor is chosen for the consumer.

Benefits

• Many health insurance plans have prescription plans that help lower the cost of medicine for the consumer. Some plans also pay a percentage of visits to alternative health practitioners like chiropractors.

Considerations

• Public health insurance is available to low-income families, federal employees including military personnel, children and seniors. Most self-employed people have to purchase a plan from a private company.