Step One: Which Plan Will Work Best For You?

Once you know the difference between various kinds of health plans (See Health Insurance Basics), you must decide which type of coverage best suits your needs. You can use the series of questions below to help you determine whether a strictly managed HMO-based plan or an open access PPO-based plan will make the most sense for your personal situation.

Directions: Answer the following questions and record your answers. If a question is not applicable to your situation, skip it.

1.	Do you prefer to have a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate all aspects of your health care? Yes No
2.	Do you mind asking a PCP for a referral in order to see a specialist? Yes No
3.	Are lower out-of-pocket expenses more important to you than the freedom to see any doctor you choose? Yes No
4.	Are you currently being treated by a number of specialists? Yes No
5.	Do you plan on having a baby in the next year? Yes No
6.	Are you willing to pay for office visits as a trade-off for using any provider you choose? Yes No
7.	Do you have chronic conditions that require specialty care? Yes No
8.	Do you need coverage for preventive care such as Pap tests, mammograms, blood pressure screenings, etc. Yes No
9.	Do you mind doing some homework and perhaps filing your own claim forms to save money on your out-of-pocket health care expenses? Yes No
10.	Would you rather pay one copay for an office visit and let your PCP’s office staff handle the claim forms ─ even if it means paying a higher monthly health insurance premium? Yes No

 or go to Step Two without taking assessment.