Hmo ppo epo health plans how can i compare ? which one is good for me?how can i know to select for me?

health,

I'm assuming that you've started a new job where you've come to the point where you must now choose a plan from all that's offered by your employee, or it's "open enrollment" time and you've never checked into it. When you see all the plans and the related costs associated to you, it can be quite confusing. I'm not sure that you'll get the best answers here, but I'll try to narrow down the choices for you.

#1. Are you basically healthy? By this I mean do you see the doc more than the once-a-year gyno exam (if female) or the annual check-up where the doc basically pokes at you and deems you "healthy?"
OR
Do you suffer from any conditions or diseases that requires close medical management, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disorders, liver disorders, OR have you been in an accident where you've never been "right" ever since, with chronic pain, AND you're on some long-term maintenance medications?

#2. (Females) Are you looking to have a baby in the next calendar year? OR (Both) Do you have a family and children? Are your family members healthy?

For those who are basically healthy with NO family and not starting one, who pretty much lives a "low-risk" lifestyle:

You can pretty much take a look at the plans, and choose from the LOWEST cost per month or pay period. Since you MIGHT see the doc once a year, maybe twice, you can save money by shelling out a lower payment per month for the coverage and spend a little more when you do see the doc or get a script for the occasional anti-biotic when you get the flu. HMO or PPO, whichever one is the lower cost for ya, you can risk taking the lower cost option and pay a little more per visit...you're healthy and planning on staying that way. You have better things to spend the money on, and I would rather start saving the money rather than throwing it on coverage you don't really need.

For all others...

You really need to shop the choices you are given. Between HMOs and PPOs, you'll USUALLY find that HMOs are more economical per month or pay period and that you're co-payments for doctors, specialists and scripts are usually lower than that offered by PPOs...this isn't always true, but it usually holds water.

You need to see all the services that are covered that you'll need on a regular basis, what you're actual out-of-pocket costs will be for each service, be it for procedures, prescriptions, inpatient hospitalization coverage, ER coverage, and bounce your costs versus what you'll pay monthly or per pay period. If you find a PPO that, for $20 more per pay period, will reduce your monthly costs by $200 by offering a lower doctor's office and prescription copayments, that $20 is a bargain, regardless of whether you go with a PPO or HMO. Between the two, PPOs actually give you more flexibility in coverage where IF you choose to see a doctor that's not a listed provider, you'll still get some coverage...not so with a HMO where you MUST go to a doc that's a "preferred provider." Even so, NOT seeing a "preferred provider" in a PPO plan actually costs a heck of a lot more, so if finances are a big concern, you're going to want to go to a doctor on their "list."

Okay, obviously I'm simplifying things here...you'll consider referrals too, to see a specialist. Belonging to a PPO doesn't absolutely absolve you from getting a referral to see a specialist...you may have the choice of doing things that way, but if finances are a concern, your PPO will want you to get a referral from your regular doc before you see one...there've been some specialists I've seen that will NOT see you without a referral, regardless of whether it's required by an insurance company...so, go figure...

How to choose a doc?

Look here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

ppo's are the best. you don't need referrals.