The most common type of health care plans tend to be employer-sponsored health plans such as a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO). An HMO is a health plan that typically provides members with access to a network of health care providers, including primary care physicians and specialists, plus hospitals and ancillary services, such as lab tests or X-rays. A PPO, on the other hand, does generally provide out-of-network benefits, but in most cases, you will pay more for medical services received outside of the network.
Other types of health care plans include Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace plans, and Short-term health insurance plans. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for U.S. citizens and certain other individuals who are age 65 or older or who have certain disabilities. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health care coverage for certain low-income individuals and families. Marketplace plans, which are sold through the Health Insurance Marketplace, are health insurance plans offered by private insurance companies. Short-term health insurance plans are designed to help you bridge gaps in coverage or serve as an alternative when you don't have other coverage.
No matter which type of health insurance plan you choose, it is important to understand that you are responsible for understanding the benefits and limitations of each type of health plan. For more information, consider checking out this in-depth article from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/understanding-types-coverage-offered-health-insurance-marketplaces.
