 TITLE: How Does Health Insurance Work? CONTENT: What Are the Different Kinds of Health Insurance Plans?\n-------------------------------------------------------\nWhen you sign up for health insurance, you may be able to choose from several health care providers and different types of insurance plans. Before you do, it's important to understand the concept of a provider network.\nA provider network can be made up of doctors, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and other service centers that the health insurance company either contracts with, employs or runs. Your health insurance plan might not cover any (or only cover part) of the cost if you receive care from out-of-network providers. However, there are generally exceptions for emergencies and urgent care.\nHealth insurance plans usually fall into one of the following types:\n*   **Health maintenance organization (HMO)**: With an HMO, you'll be limited to in-network providers. You'll also have a primary care doctor who manages your care and provides referrals if you want or need to see a specialist.\n*   **Point of service (POS)**: A POS also requires referrals from your primary care provider before it covers specialist visits. Unlike an HMO, a POS plan covers both in- and out-of-network providers, but you may still pay more for out-of-network care.\n*   **Exclusive provider organization (EPO)**: With an EPO, your health coverage is limited to in-network (or \"preferred\") providers. You might need a referral to see a specialist, but that's not always the case.\n*   **Preferred provider organization (PPO)**: The most flexible option, a PPO plan doesn't require a primary care doctor's referral to see a specialist and doesn't limit coverage to in-network providers. Although, as with a POS, costs could be lower with in-network providers.\n*   **Public programs**: There are also federal- and state-run health insurance programs that you may qualify for based on your age, health conditions, income or military service. These include Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and health care for veterans.\nIf you already have doctors, specialists or facilities you prefer, you may want to see which network or networks they're part of before signing up for a health insurance plan. Otherwise, you may need to switch medical service providers if you want your health insurance to help cover the cost. END