When purchasing health insurance, your choices typically fall into one of three categories:

• Traditional fee-for-service health insurance plans are usually the most expensive choice, but they offer you the most flexibility in choosing health care providers.
• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offer lower co-payments and cover the costs of more preventive care, but your choice of health care providers is limited to those who are part of the plan.
• Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) offer lower co-payments like HMOs but give you more flexibility in selecting a provider.
• Read the fine print when choosing among different health care plans. Also ask a lot of questions, such as:  
  • Do I have the right to go to any doctor, hospital, clinic, or pharmacy I choose?
  • Are specialists, such as eye doctors and dentists, covered?
  • Does the plan cover special conditions or treatments such as pregnancy, psychiatric care, and physical therapy?
  • Does the plan cover home care or nursing home care?
  • Will the plan cover all medications my physician may prescribe?

Medicare

Get answers to your questions about Medicare, including how to apply, get a replacement card, and what is Part D for prescription drugs. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people:

• Age 65 or older
• Under 65 with certain disabilities
• Any age with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare has four parts:

• Part A is hospital insurance.
• Part B is medical insurance.
• Part C Medicare Advantage Plans are a private insurance option for covering hospital and medical costs.
• Part D covers prescription medications.

Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Social Security Administration works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare.