There are many types of Pennsylvania health insurance plans. “Catastrophic” and “HSA” plans will tend to be the least expensive options, but feature high out-of-pocket costs to the insured. “Comprehensive” plans offer lower out-of-pocket costs on the most common claims, but are the most expensive type of coverage. For families, typically, this is a very popular type of policy.

Pennsylvania comprehensive health insurance plans cover the standard inpatient major medical items such as room/board, intensive care, recovery and operating room, prescriptions and professional fees of doctors, surgeons and nurses. Outpatient expense benefits include facility/hospital fees for outpatient surgery, surgeon fees, emergency room fees, some mental and nervous disorders and X-ray and lab fees performed at network facilities.

But comprehensive plans also provide coverage for many additional items. Traditionally, office visits (primary care and specialist) and prescriptions (generic and non-generic) are covered expenses along with wellness/preventative care expenses. Qualified wellness and preventive costs are covered at 100%, so you have no out of pocket expenses for those items.

Some specific Pennsylvania wellness/preventative coverages include preventative mammograms, pap smears, PSA screenings, child immunizations and annual physicals.

Most major Pennsylvania health insurance companies offer comprehensive health care plans. Aetna, UnitedHealthOne, Independence Blue Cross, Keystone, Highmark, Geisinger and HealthAmerica offer extremely competitive rates on their  plans. This type of coverage is typically available in either a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) or an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). With a Pennsylvania PPO, you can see any doctor or visit any hospital within the preferred network of providers. “Out of Network” providers will pay smaller benefits. An HMO may provide a broader coverage, but with smaller Network availability. 

Some of the most comprehensive Pennsylvania health insurance plans include HealthAmerica’s Copay 100% plan, Aetna’s HMO 20 and HMO 30 plans, UnitedHealthOne’s Copay Select Plan, Blue Cross’ KeystoneBlue HMO and Blue Cross’ Keystone Health Plan East HMO. Of course, there are other comprehensive plans that may be your best option, depending on your specific situation.

Aetna, Celtic and UnitedHealthOne also offer discounted comprehensive plans that cover a specific number of office visits. Premiums are discounted about 25% and these policies should be considered. We'll be happy to compare the specifics of these types of plans to other types of coverage. The UnitedHealthCare "Copay Value" and Aetna "Value" plans are very popular options.

If you don't have any dependents (or you have older dependents), and there are no existing medical issues, an HSA or a high-deductible policy may be worth your consideration. We'll take the time to review the advantages and disadvantages of that type of coverage and what specific affect it has on your situation.

To quickly view, compare or apply for coverage, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. (Not all Blue Cross plans will be included in the quote because of software restrictions. But we’ll be happy to review any Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan with you).

You can also call us at (888) 513 6446 and we'll be happy to review your options.