Why health insurance?

Having health insurance helps to protect us from high health care costs that most people could not meet in any other way. It helps us pay for health care, and it ensures that we have access to care when we need it. Research has shown that having health insurance is closely tied to the quality and timeliness of care. This booklet is intended to help you sort through your health insurance options. However, it presents general information about health insurance.

Before you make a decision, be sure to consult the brochures and policies of the plans you are considering for more specific information. The time you invest in researching your health insurance choices will make a big difference, not only in how much you pay out-of pocket, but also in how easy it is for you to get care and how satisfied you are with the health care services that are available to you.

If you can enroll in health insurance at work or through a group or organization to which you belong, you almost certainly have access to group coverage. Sometimes, there is only one plan, but in many cases, there are several plans from which you can choose. In this guide, you have received general information about the various types of health insurance. You have also learned about things you should consider when choosing a health insurance plan.