Other Types of Individual Arizona Health Insurance Policies

Medicare Supplement

The federal Medicare program pays most medical expenses for people 65 or older, or for individuals under 65 receiving Social Security disability benefits. However, Medicare does not pay all expenses. As a result, you may consider purchasing a Medicare Supplement policy that helps pay for certain expenses, including deductibles not covered by Medicare.

Long-Term Care

This policy usually pays for skilled, intermediate and custodial care in a nursing home.

It usually pays a fixed amount per day while a person is in a nursing home. Most policies contain elimination periods, during which no benefits are paid. Some policies also cover alternative types of care such as home health care or adult day care. Some even cover home modification expenses.

Normally, these policies pay only for expenses in facilities that are licensed by the state and/or participate in Medicaid and Medicare, and meet the policy's definition of skilled, intermediate or custodial care. For this reason, it is important to find out about the types of nursing homes that are in your area before you buy the policy.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

These organizations provide health care services directly to their members, who pay a fixed monthly fee to the HMO. These services include such things as hospital care, surgery and routine office visits. The HMO is an alternative to traditional health insurance because it provides actual services rather than just reimbursement for health care expenses. Enrollees usually pay a small co-payment for care or services they receive.

There are various ways that HMOs can be set up. Some HMOs employ their own physicians, who treat patients at an HMO center. Others contract with individual physicians or groups of physicians. Patients are treated at the physicians'

offices or health centers. Usually, HMO members must receive health care treatment at a designated hospital, HMO facility or from physicians who contract with the HMO to provide services.

Before you pay a fee to join an HMO, ask questions about how it works and where you would receive care, and talk to people who belong to it. Consider whether you may have to stop seeing a specific physician and choose another.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

Under this program, an insurance company enters into contracts with selected hospitals and doctors to furnish services at discounted rates. As a member of a PPO, you might be able to seek care from a doctor or hospital that is not a preferred provider, but you will probably have to pay a higher deductible or co-payment.