If you or a family member are expecting significant medical expenses for the future, the plan with the least amount of out-of-pocket costs may be the best choice — presuming the provider selection is acceptable. Since individuals who receive frequent medical care often have established medical providers, it’s important to review the medical provider options of the available plans to see which plans include your current medical providers.
Remember that even if a doctor is a plan provider, access to him/her may still be limited in a managed care plan. For example, your Primary Care Physician for some reason may not approve a referral, or the kind of care you are seeking may not be covered under the plan. In many instances, people with chronic health problems, such as asthma or diabetes, prefer the freedom of choice that Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and other similar plans allow.
