In general, indemnity plans offer you the best choice of provider, but have more expensive monthly premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. HMOs have the least expensive monthly premiums, small copayments, and no deductibles or coinsurance, but they offer you the least choice of provider. PPO and POS plans fall somewhere in between.

When you are choosing a health care plan, think carefully about your family's current and future needs. If you have young children who will need to visit a doctor frequently, the small copayments offered by an HMO may be a good choice. If you have a chronic condition that needs a specialist's care, a PPO plan may be the way to go. Each of us has very different healthcare needs, and the number of choices can be overwhelming - but they do allow you to find the best fit for your family. Happy hunting!

Indemnity Plans An indemnity plan allows you to go to any primary care doctor, specialist or hospital that you choose. You or your employer pays the monthly premium. You also have a deductible (generally around $500 to $1,000) that you must pay before coverage from you insurance company begins. After your deductible is met, your health plan pays for a percentage of your healthcare expenses (usually 80 percent).

Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPOs) In this type of managed care plan, providers (hospitals, physicians and other healthcare practitioners) agree to provide services at negotiated fees. You are allowed to go to out-of-network providers, but you receive greater benefits if you stay within the network. For example, the plan may pay benefits at 80 percent within the network, but would reduce payment to 60 percent if you see a non-PPO provider. Generally, you have direct access to specialists, but there are some PPO plans that require you to obtain a referral from a primary care physician (PCP).

Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMOs) HMOs are healthcare systems that manage both the financing and delivery of a broad range of healthcare services to a specific group of people. HMOs contain costs by focusing on prevention and primary care. In general, your medical care is coordinated and supervised by your PCP, who must also authorize access to specialists. You pay a small copayment ($5, $10 or $15) for each visit or service instead of a deductible and coinsurance. Coverage is usually limited outside the HMO service area, unless it is an emergency situation.

Point of Service Plans (POS) POS plans combine features of both HMO and PPO plans. You can choose how you access the plan each time you need treatment. If you choose to use the HMO network, your PCP coordinates care, and your out-of-pocket costs are minimal. If you choose to go outside the HMO network for care, you may select your physician, but you will have to pay deductible and coinsurance charges.