The need to buy individual health insurance can never be over-emphasized. The need becomes all the more glaring if you have had to visit a doctor, even for a minor sickness, and been presented with a bill that you can ill afford to pay. Once you have made up your mind that you have to buy health coverage at all costs, for your self and for your family, it becomes imperative for you to do an in depth analysis of the choices available in the market.

Though all plans have their pros and cons, and there is never an ideal choice, yet you can always make an informed choice. Before shopping for health coverage you need to know the basic health care plans. These can be broadly categorized as managed care health plans and fee for service plans.

Managed care health plans are more affordable than fee for service health plans, but the catch is that the costs of medical bills will be covered only if you visit a doctor or hospital listed in the plan