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How do I make the right choice when choosing medical insurance plans?

I just started working for Wells Fargo. I'm about to enroll for benefits for 2010. I just need help on choosing the right plan that is suitable for me, and practical (moneywise) being that I just don't wanna pay for a service I wont use. I had aetna with the last company I worked for. It was great. This time, Im offered: Health net of California, Health Net Silver Network, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare Consumer Directed Health Plan, and Kaiser.. Im not very familiar with how insurance benefits work so I need some advice. Im 25 years old, making $10 an hour, plus quarterly commission, part time. (20-30 hrs) a week. I currently see my doc for my ADD med, and general stuff, as in if I were to come down with a bad cold turned into a sinus infection, I would call him for an antibiotic. Other than that, Im pretty healthy, with no other health problems. So if you are familiar with health insurance benefits please advise me of what carrier I should go with, PPO and HMO? How different are they? I hear PPO is better, but is it suitable for me? because im sure it may cost more... Im going over all these plans. And Im undecided, and need advice. Please Help me! I'd appreciate it..

Public Comments

1. My sister has had Kaiser for years and likes it. Some PPO and HMO plans only let you use their network doctors. Since you are pretty healthy and a low wage worker, you should look at a plan with low co-payments and/or co-insurance and deductable. Try to get a plan with a yearly deductable around $200 or $250. If you had a high deductable, it means you must pay your own way until you have paid a certain amount, say $500 a year. If you don't visit the doctor much, you could go the whole year before the office visits add up to $500 and you would still be paying premiums but the insurance would not be kicking in.. The other way to go is look for a plan that costs very little in premimums but has a very high deductable, say a $1000 a year. Then only count on it if you need an operation or something major. Just be sure to have a little savings for the occasional office visit. Be sure to ask your doctor which plans he will accept. Also try to figure out how much you spent last year on the doctor bills. Be sure to count what the insurance paid as if you did not have any insurance. That will tell you how to judge the deductable.
2. Ari, Health insurance can be very tricky. Since I'm from Montana I'm not sure about California regulations, so I recommend you visit a nearby health insurance agent. http://www.goodonlinedeals.com/Health-Insurance.html They should be able to help you.
3. You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here - health-quotes.isgreat.org
4. I had Healthnet PPO for eight years and was satisfied with it. I have relatives who have Kaiser Permanente (HMO) and are well satisfied with that. The Kaiser plans will probably be your least expensive option and also entail the minimum paperwork since Kaiser runs an all-"in house" HMO operation in California. With most other insurer HMO plans, you're dealing with a provider network of independent physicians and must be careful with referrals, preauthorizations and "in-network" status providers - otherwise, you'll get screwed (financially). When you do make your choice and enroll, take the time to READ your plan provisions carefully so that you understand what's covered and how it works. Knowledge is power. Here's a good article on the basics of health insurance: http://www.walletpop.com/article/health-insurance/92328
5. Others can state that they had such and such plan and it was great, but they could have a different plan, co-pays, deductibles etc that would not apply to you. Do you have a HR dept? If so, get on the phone with them and explain your situation. You will need pen/paper ready to have your questions and answers. You will need 1st the type of treatment you have received for say the last 2 years. Have many times you went to the doctor, what meds you are taking etc. You will most likely need to verify if the current doctor is on this plan, since they may not and you maybe forced to find another doctor. You will also need to find out how much you may pay for any RX you currently have. Each of these companies could be off the wall in difference per your employer. Your employer decides what options they will provide for the employee and even if you had the choice of Aetna like your old job, the plan could be completely different with the new employer. Many companies to cut down the costs of health-care are choosing higher deductibles, exclusions etc. Call them, and remember to have pen/paper ready. good luck
6. As far as my knowledge,this is a question with various answers,it is really depending on the mind of yourself,providing a great resource here http://www.HealthInsuranceIdeas.info for reference though.