Health insurance is insurance to cover health-related expenses, including dental and vision. Health insurance also can meet disability, custodial care, and long-term nursing care needs. It’s obtained either from private insurance companies or from government sponsored social insurance programs, such as Medicaid or Medicare in the United States.
Individuals in the United States can obtain insurance from whichever insurance company they choose, or participate in company-sponsored plans, which cover employees as a group.
The United States has a market-based type of health system, with both non-profit and for profit insurers offering services to customers, who are free to choose from among numerous providers.
Once they choose a plan, they then pay premiums, on a monthly basis or as an annual tax, for the coverage which they chose. Many companies offer coverage to their employees through a certain insurer, and portion is taken from the employee’s paycheck each time to pay for the insurance coverage.
Once a policy is chosen, the individual or the company enters into a contract, with obligations spelled out for both parties. The insurer specifies what kind of services and how much of the cost they cover.
The individual insured also has financial obligations, such as deductibles or co-payments -costs to cover out of pocket.
In comparison, the system in the United Kingdom is very different. The National Health Service (NHS), which offers health coverage to all residents of the U.K, is publicly funded through general taxation.
Technically, the NHS it isn’t an insurance system, since there are no premiums, deductibles, or copayments. The organization provides a wide array of services, including long-term care need, dental, vision and hospitalization.
The NHS means free visits to your doctor for all, but there are prescription charges; however those on benefits or the elderly can get their prescription drugs for free. There are NHS dentists too where you can get free or subsidised treatment, again depending upon your financial circumstances.
Private health insurance is also available in the UK. Individuals may choose to have some form of private coverage as a fallback plan, to avoid lengthy waiting lists that the NHS is famous for, and for perceived better service and treatment.
However, private insurance doesn’t cover as many services as does the NHS.
When seeking out health insurance, it’s always good to research several insurers, the coverage plans they offer, and understand the total costs involved. Use an online comparison site. This will help you find the best, and most affordable, plan to meet your specific needs.
