Health Insurance

Navigate the confusing world of health insurance with help from an independent agent. Serving the Pacific Northwest states.

A healthy body is a happy body, and there’s no better way to preserve you and your family’s health than with a health insurance policy from Columbia Basin Benefits.

Let’s face it, medical treatments aren’t cheap. Without health insurance coverage you could end up paying off medical bills for the rest of your life.

Columbia Basin Benefits can help you find an affordable healthcare plan that’s right for you. Call 509-221-1996 and talk with one of our friendly agents today to learn more.

Major Types of Health Coverage

There are basically four major types of health insurance policies for our employee's to choose from EPO, HMO, POS, and PPO.

These health insurance plans help cover your medical, surgical, and hospital expenses. They may even cover dental expenses, mental health services, and prescription drugs, depending on the coverage you choose.

• Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): A managed care plan where services are covered only if you use doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan’s network (except in an emergency).
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won’t cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage. HMOs often provide integrated care and focus on prevention and wellness.
• Point of Service (POS): A type of plan where you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s network. POS plans require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A type of health plan where you pay less if you use providers in the plan’s network. You can use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network without a referral for an additional cost.
• Self Funded Plan: The Self-Funded Program provides tools for small-business employers to establish a self-funded health benefit plan for their employees. The benefit plan is established by the employer and is not an insurance product. Stop-loss insurance will protect the company from losses. If the company has a low claim year they are eligible for a partial refund.

Common Health Insurance Terms

When discussing health insurance with your agent, it helps to understand some of the common terms you’ll run into. Below you’ll find definitions to some of the most common health insurance terms.

• Deductible — the amount of money you pay toward medical bills before your insurance coverage begins.
• Co-pay — a specified amount of money you pay upfront for doctor visits and prescription refills.
• Co-insurance — the percentage of medical bills you pay after meeting the deductible.

To learn more about health insurance, call Columbia Basin Benefits at 509-221-1991 and talk with one of our agents today. We’re right here in Washington, and service the Pacific Northwest, ready to guide you toward a more secure future.