Definition
Comprehensive Health Insurance offers extensive coverage for a variety of medical services, including hospital and physician charges. This type of insurance combines the aspects of a basic medical expense policy, which covers standard and necessary medical care, with a major medical policy, which handles more extensive and costly healthcare needs. Policyholders are often subject to deductibles (the amount paid out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in) and coinsurance (a percentage share of the costs).
Examples
Blue Cross Blue Shield Comprehensive Plan: This plan covers routine doctor’s visits, specialist consultations, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgical procedures, and some prescription medications after policyholders meet their deductibles and coinsurance obligations.
UnitedHealthcare Comprehensive Plan: This includes all basic medical services such as annual check-ups and urgent care visits, and extends to cover major medical expenses like long-term hospital stays, surgeries, and extensive treatments for chronic conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does comprehensive health insurance typically cover?
Comprehensive health insurance typically covers a multitude of healthcare services including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, preventive care, prescription medications, emergency services, and specialist consultations.
What are deductibles and coinsurance in a comprehensive health insurance plan?
Deductibles are the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company starts to pay its share. Coinsurance is the percentage of the medical costs you are responsible for after the deductible has been met.
How does comprehensive health insurance differ from basic health insurance?
Basic health insurance covers only fundamental medical expenses, like doctor visits and minor procedures, while comprehensive health insurance includes a broader range of services, such as extensive hospital stays, specialist care, and major surgeries.
Can I choose my own doctors with a comprehensive health insurance plan?
This depends on the specific health insurance policy. Some comprehensive plans allow policyholders to choose their doctors, while others may require the use of network providers.
Are prescription medications covered under comprehensive health insurance?
Most comprehensive health insurance plans include coverage for prescription medications, though the extent of this coverage can vary by policy.
Related Terms and Definitions
- Group Health Insurance: Health insurance that covers a group of people, often employees of a company, under a single policy. Premiums and benefits are negotiated for the entire group.
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that typically limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally requires a primary care doctor’s referral to see a specialist.
Online References and Resources
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Health Insurance and Managed Care: What They Are and How They Work” by Peter R. Kongstvedt, M.D.
- “Understanding Healthcare Financial Management” by Louis C. Gapenski
- “Introduction to Health Services” by Stephen J. Williams and Paul R. Torrens
Fundamentals of Comprehensive Health Insurance: Insurance Basics Quiz
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