Health Insurance Articles
The Basics Of A Base-plus Health Insurance Plan
2010-01-13
When obtaining health insurance coverage, it's helpful to understand the basics of what is offered under a base-plus health insurance plan. This type of health insurance policy can be appealing because it provides broad coverage and a greater number of health care options. Base-plus health insurance is offered in two parts, one for basic medical coverage and one for major medical coverage. Everything from normal doctor visits, X-rays, routine laboratory tests and blood work to surgery and hospitalization are included in the basic medical coverage. The major medical coverage portion of base-plus health insurance is designed to more broadly cover health expenses outside the parameters of the basic medical coverage.
Having a base-plus health insurance policy can be very cost-effective. Under the basic medical portion of the policy, the most common medical necessities are covered without the insurance company requiring coinsurance or a yearly deductible to be paid to cover any portion of these medical costs. Even though the medical coverage offered under this portion of the health insurance policy may be somewhat limited, such as how many days can be spent in the hospital following a surgical procedure or specifying only a certain number of doctor visits that will be covered, the policyholder is not required to pay anything for these services. In the event that the insured has, initially, paid out of pocket for medical services, under this portion of the policy he or she can file a claim with the insurance company and be immediately reimbursed for any monies paid.
The major medical portion of the base-plus health insurance coverage, on the other hand, includes various types of other medical care and expenses without as many limits as those imposed under the basic medical portion of the policy. This allows the insured to seek out the health services that best fit his or her needs. Services that fall under the major medical portion of the policy, however, usually require a non-reimbursable co-payment due at the time that services are rendered. This portion of the policy also usually requires that a yearly deductible be met before the insurance will begin to pay for medical services.
A base-plus health insurance policy allows for more health care options because of the two different types of coverage it provides. The insured can utilize the standardized services provided under the basic medical portion of the policy or take advantage of the full breadth of services available through the insurer for the cost of the yearly deductible and co-pays. For individuals who are looking for cost-effective health insurance coverage and value their freedom of choice, base-plus health insurance may be the most ideal health insurance policy.
