Frequently Asked Questions

Consumer-Driven Healthcare

1. What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP)?
2. What is consumer-driven healthcare (CDH)?
3. Why do people say that the "consumer is in control" with a consumer-driven plan?
4. What are the advantages of a consumer driven healthcare plan?
5. What are the disadvantages of a consumer driven healthcare plan?
6. I am a benefits manager. Will consumer-driven healthcare (CDH) save me money?
7. Is it true that consumer-driven healthcare plans are meant for young, relatively healthy people, and are not designed for older people with health issues?

Dentists

1. Do all dentists have the same approach to pain management?
2. What are the warning signs of a bad dentist?

Discount Medical Programs

1. What is a discount medical program?
2. How do discount medical plans differ from health insurance?
3. How do Discount Medical Plan Organizations Work?
4. How might I use a DMPO?
5. What are some features to look for in a DMPO?
6. How can I maximize my discounts?
7. Are there any other caveats?

Doctors

1. How do I find a good doctor?
2. How do I check a doctor's credentials?
3. What is board certification?
4. How can I ensure that I will be referred to a specialist?
5. How can I go out of network for a doctor?
6. How do I find out what insurance a doctor accepts?
7. How do I see if a doctor has a disciplinary action?
8. How do I submit a correction to a doctor's entry?
9. When should a patient shop for a new doctor?

Health Plans for Companies

1. What is the economic difference between purchasing a healthcare plan as an individual, and as part of a company?
2. What value is there for a business in providing employees with health insurance?
3. Are there tax benefits for a small business that provides healthcare to its employees?
4. How do I know if my company qualifies for group health insurance?
5. How are health plan costs traditionally split between employee and employer?
6. Is it a requirement for my company to contribute to employee health benefits?

Health Plans for Individuals and Families

1. What is a 'network' plan type?
2. What is an individual or family health insurance plan?
3. What types of individual or family health insurance plans do I have to choose from?
4. How do PPO plans operate?
5. How do HMO plans operate?
6. What types of HMO models can I choose from?
7. How do point of service (POS) plans operate?
8. How do indemnity plans operate?

Health Savings Accounts

1. What is an HSA?
2. How much money could I conceivably save by opening an HSA?
3. How much can I contribute to an HSA every year?
4. Who can open an HSA account?
5. What is an HSA-eligible insurance plan?
6. Why should I look for an HSA through Vimo and not some other source?
7. How does state tax treatment of HSAs differ from federal tax treatment?
8. What states have harmonized their tax treatment of Health Savings Accounts with the federal government?
9. What states treat Health Savings Accounts differently than the federal government?
10. If I live in a state that has not harmonized its Health Savings Account (HSA) tax treatment with the federal government, what records do I need to keep in order to ensure that I can compute my federal and state taxes correctly?
11. How is the rollover of an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) treated by the federal government for tax purposes?
12. If I rollover an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) into a Health Savings Account in a state like California, then what tax penalties do I owe the state for the year of the rollover?
13. Can I open a Health Savings Account (HSA) if I am covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
14. How do HSAs work with group insurance plans?
15. Can I pay for cosmetic surgeries with an HSA?
16. Where can I read the IRS' guidelines for HSAs?

Health Savings Accounts Alternatives

1. What is a Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
2. What is an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA)?

Hospitals

1. How is an urgent care center different from an emergency room?
2. What is JCAHO certification, and why is it important?
3. What kinds of surgery or medical procedures are not covered by insurance?
4. How do I find the best price for my surgery?

How Vimo Can Help

1. How can Vimo help me with my healthcare needs?
2. What health insurance products can I find at Vimo?
3. How much does it cost to use Vimo?
4. What steps does Vimo take to protect my privacy?
5. Does Vimo offer insurance in every U.S. state?
6. Why would I purchase health insurance through Vimo instead of just calling any local broker?
7. Does Vimo offer the best possible price on health insurance?
8. Can I buy insurance directly through the Vimo Web site without being contacted by a broker?
9. When I am contacted by a broker through Vimo, am I obligated to make a purchase?
10. Does health insurance cost more if purchased with a broker than without a broker?
11. Will I fill out my health insurance application through Vimo?
12. If I need help, how do I contact someone at Vimo?
13. I noticed on Vimo that the same insurer may charge different rates in different zip codes. Why is that?
14. How do I use Vimo to choose a health insurance plan for myself or my family?
15. How do I use Vimo to choose a health insurance plan for my business?

Insurance Terms

1. What are co-payments and deductibles?
2. How does coinsurance work?
3. What are in-network and out-of-network healthcare providers?
4. What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

Insurance Terms for Small Business

1. What are co-payments and deductibles?
2. What is a "benefit rider"?
3. How will a "risk adjustment factor (RAF)" affect our policy?

Medical Procedures

1. When I'm searching medical procedures, I've noticed the terms "+CC" and "-CC". What do they mean?
2. What do 'procedure group' and 'DRG' mean?
3. What is a procedure's negotiated price?
4. What costs are included in the procedure price?
5. What methodology does Vimo use to estimate prices?
6. What does Vimo compare its negotiated prices to?

Purchasing an Individual or Family Plan

1. If I purchase a plan, when will coverage start?
2. Once I join an insurance plan, how do I pay?
3. What is the value of a short-term health insurance plan?

Trouble Obtaining Insurance

1. What can prevent someone from obtaining insurance?
2. Why do insurers exclude some people from coverage?
3. If my insurer excludes me, is my family excluded?
4. Can I get medical treatment without insurance?
5. How can I find treatment without insurance?
6. How do I see a doctor if I don't have insurance?
7. How can I find affordable prescriptions?
8. What are PAPs?
9. How can I find reasonably priced lab tests?
10. What can I do to find affordable surgery?

Types of Insurance Plans for Business

1. Are there many different kinds of health insurance plans for small business?
2. How do preferred provider organization (PPO) plans operate?
3. How do health maintenance organization (HMO) plans operate?
4. What types of HMO models can I choose from?
5. How do point of service (POS) plans operate?
6. How do indemnity plans operate?