Before you choose a health insurance plan, it’s important to know which doctors and hospitals are included in the plan’s network. Your health insurance plan’s network may affect how much you pay for care from the doctors you want to see.
What is a network and why does it matter? A network is a group of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers that participate in a health insurance plan. Why does it matter? Because your health insurance plan’s network may affect how much you pay for care from the doctors you want to see. Getting care with a doctor outside of your plan’s network could mean you have to pay higher out-of pocket costs (out-of-pocket costs are your total costs for medical care that aren’t paid by your health insurance plan). Going to doctors and hospitals that belong to your insurance plan’s network helps to keep your out-of-pocket costs down when you get care. Why should I choose my preferred doctor before I pick my health insurance plan? Before you choose a health insurance plan, it’s important to know which doctors and hospitals are included in the plan’s network. Think about it this way: You wouldn’t buy concert tickets before you know who’s performing. So why choose health insurance that way? When you choose your preferred doctor before you pick your health insurance plan, you can make sure your doctors and hospitals are in your health insurance plan’s network – which can help keep your out-of-pocket costs down when you need care. What should I think about when evaluating a health insurance plan’s network? When you’re choosing the doctors and hospitals you want in your health insurance plan, think about the kind of care you want and need. Here are some things to consider:- Does the plan’s network include easy access to a primary care doctor near you?
- Does it include convenient urgent care locations and other options to get quick care when you and your family need it?
- Think about specialty care, too. Does it give you access to experts who can provide high-quality heart and cancer treatment, or advanced pediatric care?
- Are the doctors and hospitals in your plan’s network connected to each other? Do they work together across different locations to provide coordinated care?
Qualities like these mean better care for you and your family.
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