Private health insurance is coverage provided by a private entity, such as UnitedHealthcare or Kaiser Permanente, and not by the government. Insurance offered by the state or federal government is considered public health insurance. Before continuing, it is important to define the concept of DPHI, often also referred to as double coverage or substitute PHI. According to the DPHI, private insurers offer coverage for health care that is already available in public delivery systems.
It is important to note that DPHI differs from Supplemental PHI (SPHI). SPHI allows patients to access additional health services not covered by the public plan, such as luxury care, elective care, long-term care, dental care, pharmaceutical products, rehabilitation, alternative or complementary medicine, or first-rate hotel and hospital services. Additionally, DPHI should be distinguished from “parallel private health insurance”, in which people are covered by one of several parallel insurance systems. Generally speaking, these ensure the same medical care, but a person is only entitled to one of the benefits of the insurance system.
Alternative private insurance is an alternative to social health insurance and is contracted by those who may be excluded from public coverage. Your particular circumstances may make one type of private health insurance more attractive than another. Within the OECD, in the United States alone, private health insurance programs account for more than 30% of health spending. Insurance companies are no more greedy than other large companies, but somehow that greed raises greater ethical concern, since insurance is supposed to provide benefits to its customers who are unlucky enough to become seriously ill. A PPO offers private health insurance to its members (health benefits and medical coverage) through a network of health care providers contracted by the PPO. Medicare is the health insurance program for eligible Americans that is administered by the federal government.
The United States government offers health insurance to people who qualify, such as the elderly, people with certain disabilities and health problems, and some people with low incomes. For people who get their private health insurance through an employer, employers tend to cover at least 50 percent of the premium costs. Traditionally, private health insurance programs — in the United States and elsewhere — have no influence on supply-side incentives, such as doctors' compensation systems. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) originally required that all eligible people have qualified health insurance or pay a tax penalty. It's also a good idea to talk to your health insurance company before planning a surgery or procedure to make sure it's covered by your plan. The federal government offers its health insurance marketplace in most states, while some states have their own exchanges.
An HMO provides health insurance to individuals as a liaison with providers (hospitals, doctors, etc.). In Canada, 100% of the population is covered by the public health insurance plan, administered by the provinces. When it comes to private health insurance options available today, there are several types that can be considered depending on individual needs and circumstances. These include Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Point-of-Service (POS) plans and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration when making a decision. PPOs are one of the most popular types of private health insurance plans available today.
They offer members access to a network of healthcare providers who have agreed to provide services at discounted rates. Members can choose any provider within this network without needing a referral from their primary care physician. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are another type of private health insurance plan that offers members access to a network of healthcare providers who have agreed to provide services at discounted rates. Unlike PPOs however, members must select a primary care physician from within this network who will coordinate all their healthcare needs. Point-of-Service (POS) plans are similar to HMOs in that they require members to select a primary care physician from within their network who will coordinate all their healthcare needs. However, POS plans also allow members to receive services outside of their network if they are willing to pay higher out-of-pocket costs. High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are another type of private health insurance plan that requires members to pay higher out-of-pocket costs before their coverage kicks in.
These plans typically have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles which can make them more affordable for those who don’t anticipate needing much medical care. No matter which type of private health insurance you choose, it’s important to understand what’s covered and what’s not so you can make an informed decision about your coverage needs.
