Health Insurance 101: Understanding Health Insurance Terms

Types of health insurance costs

Unless you have free or subsidized coverage through Medicaid or another government program, you’ll probably have a few different types of costs no matter what type of health plan you choose. These costs are often called “cost sharing.” Common costs to look out for include:

1. Monthly premium

The monthly cost you pay for health insurance coverage.

2. Deductible

The amount you have to pay out of pocket before your health insurance starts paying for any services you use. If you get healthcare services before you’ve met your deductible, you’ll usually have to pay 100% of the cost, even for services that are covered by insurance.

3. Copayment (Copay)

The set fees you pay each time you use healthcare services. Sometimes copayments, also called copays, are expected when you arrive for your appointment, and sometimes they are billed later. Copayments can vary depending on the type of healthcare provider (HCP) you see (e.g., a primary care physician (PCP) vs. a specialist) or type of service (e.g., emergency room vs. office visit).

4. Coinsurance

The percentage of healthcare costs that you have to pay once you’ve met your deductible. For example, if you have 20% coinsurance for hospital services and you get a $10,000 hospital bill, you’ll be expected to pay $2,000.

Other health insurance terms to know

Health insurance has its own terminology, which can be confusing. Some key health insurance terms to know include:

1. In-network providers

Many health plans have a set of HCPs that they contract with. The HCPs who contract with the plan are called “in-network.”

2. Out-of-network providers

HCPs who do not participate in a health plan’s network are considered “out of network.” Depending on the plan type you have, out-of-network providers may be covered at lower rates than in-network providers. That means your insurance covers less of their fees, so you’d pay more to see them.

Some plans do not offer coverage for out-of-network providers at all, which means you’d pay 100% of the cost to see them.

3. Out-of-pocket maximum

After you’ve spent money on your deductible, copayments and coinsurance, there’s a limit to what you’ll have to pay out of your own pocket each year. This limit is called the “out-of-pocket maximum.” Once you’ve reached this amount, you cannot be charged additional fees for covered services from in-network providers.

You can still be charged for care you get from out-of-network providers or for services that are not covered.

Monthly premiums do not count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.

4. Referrals

In some health plans, you have to get a referral — kind of like permission — to see specialists or other HCPs for certain services. Referrals are written orders from your PCP.

5. Prior authorization

To receive certain services or prescriptions, some plans require you to get
prior authorization, which is permission beforehand or preapproval. Your HCP will usually submit forms to your insurance provider on your behalf, although it is technically your responsibility to make sure you get approval before seeking the service. If you don’t get prior authorization for services that require it, the health plan can deny your claim and you could be left paying for all of the service on your own — or not getting it at all.

6. Open enrollment

Open enrollment is the set time each year when you can sign up for health insurance or switch plans. The open enrollment time varies by company for job-based insurance and for different programs such as Medicare or the Health Insurance Marketplace. Outside of the open enrollment period, you cannot switch plans unless you have a change in life circumstance, called a “qualifying life event,” that allows you to have a special enrollment period.

7. Special enrollment period

If you have a change in circumstance, you may qualify for a special enrollment period. That means that you can sign up or switch insurance outside of an open enrollment period. Circumstances that might qualify you for a special enrollment period include changes in family structure (e.g., having a baby, getting married or divorced), moving or losing job-based benefits.

8. High-deductible health plans

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are plans with high deductibles, meaning the amount you pay out of pocket before your health insurance starts covering services is higher than a typical amount. The threshold for an HDHP changes each year. In 2022, HDHPs were defined as plans with deductibles of at least $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families. Any of the common health plan types can be an HDHP.

9. Health savings accounts

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are savings accounts that let you use tax-free dollars for qualified healthcare expenses. HSAs are often paired with HDHPs to help you pay healthcare costs before you meet the deductible. The balance in your HSA is yours, so unused amounts roll over and can build up over time.

10. Flexible spending accounts

Like HSAs, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are accounts that let you use tax-free dollars for qualified healthcare expenses. Unlike an HSA, the money in your FSA doesn’t roll over so you lose whatever money isn’t spent by the end of the year. FSAs are a benefit offered by your employer, not your health insurance plan.

Read: Health Insurance 101 for Women: What You’re Entitled to as a Woman >>

​Types of health plans

There are several different types of health insurance plans, with different costs and rules. The most common types of health plans include:

1. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)

HMOs often have the lowest monthly premiums, but they’re also usually the most restrictive. In an HMO, you must have a primary care physician and get referrals from them to see specialists. An HMO only covers services you get from healthcare providers who participate in their network. Outside of that network, HMOs don’t usually cover any costs unless it’s an emergency.

2. Preferred provider organizations (PPOs)

PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums than HMOs because they give you more flexibility. PPOs don’t require a member to have a PCP or get referrals to see specialists. Like HMOs, PPOs have a network of contracted HCPs. You typically pay more, but not the full cost, to see HCPs outside of the plan’s network.

3. Point-of-service (POS) plans

POS plans are like a cross between HMOs and PPOs. POS plans may require you to have a PCP and to get referrals before seeing specialists. POS plans have contracted networks of HCPs, but tend to allow you to see HCPs outside the network for a higher cost. POS premiums typically fall between HMOs and PPOs.

4. Exclusive provider organizations (EPOs)

Monthly premiums for EPOs are usually higher than HMOs but lower than PPOs. Like HMOs, EPOs only cover services you get from HCPs who participate in their network unless it’s an emergency. You typically aren’t required to have a PCP or get a referral to see a specialist as long as they are within your plan’s network.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a health coverage assistance program for children, adults, pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors who qualify due to low income or other criteria.

Medicare

Medicare is a national health insurance program provided by the U.S. government for people who are ages 65 and older and people with certain diseases and/or disabilities. There are four different parts to Medicare. Some are free and some require a monthly premium.