How to Choose the Right Kentucky Health Insurance Plan

Health insurance providers in Kentucky offer a wide range of plans for individuals and businesses. Most people are covered by an employer-sponsored plan. If you are not, you would have to buy a policy directly from an insurer. This means looking at various options and choosing the right Kentucky health insurance plan.

Compare Kentucky Health Plans

Health insurance plans comprise managed health care plans and indemnity plans. Managed care comprises HMO, PPO and POS plans. Managed care means fewer out-of-pocket costs, a small co-pay per visit, and no deductibles or insurance claims to file.

With HMOs, members must choose a primary care physician. This physician handles all your healthcare and treatment and refers you to a specialist if necessary. Each plan allows a certain number of wellness visits and checkups. A HMO is the least expensive of healthcare plans.

PPOs are flexible in that they let you see anyone you want, even out-of-network doctors and specialists. The doctor or healthcare provider is under contract with the insurance company to provide services at a discounted rate. However, if you go in for outside network care, you would be reimbursed for only up to a certain percentage of your expenses.

POS plans combine features of both HMOs and PPOs. Premiums are higher than HMOs, but POS plans offer greater freedom of choice with doctors and hospitals. In-network care involves a small copay and no deductible. If you go outside the network, you have to pay as in a fee-for-service or indemnity plan.

Making the choice between plans depends on what your priorities are. Choose a HMO if you are looking at low premiums and preventive care. But this plan would not be right for you or a family member have a pre-existing health condition that needs the attention of a specialist. If the coverage is for you and your spouse, see if having two individual plans is less expensive than having family coverage. A PPO is ideal if you can stay within the network and see the doctor you want.

One of the most important things to remember when buying medical insurance is that cost should not be the only concern. It is important to consider the needs of your family, range of benefits offered and the quality of the plan.

Points to Consider when Buying Health Insurance in Kentucky

When you compare plans, consider the following:

• The copay or discount for doctor visits
• Number of doctor visits
• Coverage for children
• Coverage for prescription
• Inpatient care and what the policy covers
• Emergency care
• Lab tests covered
• Annual deductible
• Total amount of co-insurance and deductible
• Premium
• Lifetime max coverage
• Whether the plan is HSA-qualified. A High Deductible Health Insurance Plan combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA) and can save you tax dollars

Other relevant considerations:
• If you are considering a new plan, review your past medical claims to understand how much of your expenses were not reimbursed
• See if your doctor or specialist is enrolled in the plan
• Choose the right doctor by checking out educational qualifications, credentials and experience. Ask friends to recommend a doctor, do online research to find good doctors and hospitals and choose a plan that has them as members
• Read the fine print before you sign

Benefits of Expert Guidance

The first step in choosing the right Kentucky health insurance plan is to get quotes from leading providers. Browse the web to find a reliable insurance agent who can help you. An experienced agent would answer all your queries and offer expert guidance to help you find affordable health insurance to suit your needs

Kentucky Medical Insurance Within Your Budget

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act seek to ensure that all Kentucky residents can buy quality affordable health insurance. Finding Kentucky medical insurance within your budget is all about making the right choice. In other words, you have to consider your health insurance needs, how much you can afford to pay, and then find a health insurance plan that offers comprehensive coverage.

Examine your Health Insurance Options

Health insurance companies compete to offer individuals, families and businesses a wide spectrum of health insurance options. Before you decide on a plan, consider the options that are open to you. Remember that the cost of Kentucky individual health insurance depends on the state of the individual’s health – a person with health risks would have to pay more.
Every plan involves a monthly cost or premium and also other expenses, such as an annual deductible or payments for office visits. Plans with higher premiums usually mean lower costs for office visits and other services. On the other hand, if you choose a plan with lower monthly costs, you will have to pay more for office visits and other services.
Kentucky individual or family health insurance plans include indemnity health plans, and managed-care including HMOs, PPOs and POS plans. HMOs usually cost less than the others.

• Indemnity health insurance plans offer a wider choice of providers than managed care, though you may have to pay first and claim reimbursement later.


• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans work through a network of doctors, hospitals, and other providers.


• In Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, a group of preferred providers. They allow you to go in for out-of-network care, though you would have to pay more for such services


• POS is managed care that offers the low cost of HMO as well as the flexibility of a PPO.

Leading insurance companies like Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and United offer several affordable Kentucky health insurance plans. It is important to get health insurance quotes from many providers as knowing the costs and benefits of various health insurance plans can help you find a budget-friendly option.

Advantages of Professional Assistance

To assess the benefits of the various plans and get Kentucky medical insurance within your budget, it is best to go in for expert advice. There are many professional companies based in Kentucky that can help you get free quotes from various health insurance companies, as well as compare them to choose an affordable plan. Their websites also offer valuable information on the various facets on Kentucky health insurance so as to help you make an informed decision.