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