| Individual health policies are for those who are | | | | Virginia but their territories do not overlap. They both |
| responsible for their own health insurance expenses. | | | | offer very comprehensive and competitively priced |
| My best recommendation is that you have a Health | | | | plans. Most Plans include a nice preventative package |
| Insurance Broker licensed in your state assist you | | | | - Contact your broker to determine which side of the |
| make the best decision. The coverage you should | | | | fence you are on. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue |
| choose is determined by your particular needs and | | | | Shield boasts the biggest PPO network in the DC |
| those of your family.Examples of specific | | | | metro area.Kaiser Permanente (HMO) offer very |
| considerations:-MaternityIf your family is young and | | | | inclusive and competitive plans in this area too. This |
| growing, you will want to consider a policy that includes | | | | company's plans almost always include maternity for |
| maternity care from the onset.-Prescription PlansSome | | | | no extra cost.Golden Rule (United Healthcare) also |
| plans have prescription plans that only cover generic | | | | offers Health Plans in some Northern VA zip codes. |
| drugs while most do cover preferred brands. It is just | | | | Great PPO and HSA plans offered.MARYLAND |
| good to know what you are going to get.-Doctor | | | | PLANSCare First Blue Cross Blue Shield offers very |
| NetworksCheck and see if your doctor is included. | | | | comprehensive and competitively priced plans. The |
| Typically PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans | | | | majority of the Plans include the important preventative |
| provide the most freedom of choice and greater | | | | package. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts |
| flexibility as compare to HMO (Health Maintenance | | | | the biggest PPO network in the DC metro area. Do |
| Organization)-Preventative Care PackagesIf you can | | | | Consider the Blue Preferred Plan.Kaiser Permanente |
| opt for a plan that includes a preventative plan without | | | | (HMO) offer very inclusive and competitive plans in this |
| having to first meet a deductible. Preventative Care | | | | area too. This company's plans almost always include |
| usually includes Annual Physical, OB/GYN Exams, | | | | maternity for no extra cost. This is indeed a popular |
| Mammograms, PSA screening and well child | | | | company in this state.Golden Rule (United Healthcare) |
| care.-Dental and Vision are pretty important but do not | | | | also offers Health Plans in Maryland. These plans are |
| allow these to disproportionately affect your Major | | | | very competitive and the Network is large. Great PPO |
| Medical plan decision. If need be get them separately | | | | and HSA plans offered.Tips-Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| and focus on a health plan that is solid and that meets | | | | Families may realize substantial savings by submitting |
| your needs.VALUE NOT PRICEBe diligent, compare | | | | separate applications for each individual as opposed to |
| plans and comb through the outlines of coverage. My | | | | a family application. The savings seem to be greatest |
| little rule is that the better insurance companies have | | | | for a two parent (adult)-one child family especially |
| simple and easy to understand plans as opposed to | | | | when there is a notable age difference between the |
| those that present you volumes of literature and very | | | | parents (adult)-Blue Cross will accept domestic partner |
| little coverage.REGIONSDC- DISTRICT OF | | | | family applications.-For BlueCross and Kaiser |
| COLUMBIA PLANSCare First Blue Cross Blue Shield | | | | Permanente Quotes go to RxMom.com-For Golden |
| probably offers the most coverage for the best price | | | | Rule Quotes go to GoldenHealthInsurance.comTom |
| in DC. The savings are pretty substantial.NORTHERN | | | | Musembi - Licensed Broker in Virginia, DC, Maryland |
| VIRGINIA PLANSCare First Blue Cross Blue Shield and | | | | and Pennsylvania |
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield both serve Northern | | | | tel 888-490-8782 email web site RxMom. |