If you get hit by a bus, you will be brought, via ambulance to the nearest emergency room. You will be treated to the best of the doctors on duty’s ability.
They may try to bill you afterwards. They may or may not be able to collect.
There are basic types of health insurance plans, some are better than others, and they range in cost.
We have plans that cover darn near everything even remotely medical related, and these are expensive. You can see whatever doctors you want, and pay very little copays for prescription drugs, and office visits.
We have other plans where you have a “primary care provider (PCP),” who manages your care (Health Management Organization - HMO). These are less expensive than other plans. Your PCP must be seen first for any health care need (except ER type emergencies), and will refer you to a specialist if it is needed/appropriate. This specialist will also be part of the HMO group. It costs more to see someone that is not part of the HMO group (if it’s allowed at all).
More expensive plans will cover more things. As an example, just a few months ago, I was looking into getting a more comprehensive insurance plan for my wife and 2yo daughter outside of my employer (I was a contractor.), and we had to choose which plan would fit our needs. One of the choices, which changed the rates by about $300/mo, was whether or not a pregnancy would be covered (Maternity Rider) by the plan. As we are in childbearing years, proven fertile, and hoping for another one soon, we had to seriously consider our decision. We wanted to make sure that some of our routine care, as long with any accidents were covered for them. I could make due with the catastrophic (high deductable, low preventative coverage, max-payout) care plan that was available via my contracting company. [epilogue… the company I work for brought me on full-time, with now GREAT benefits, including FANTASTIC health care, so the choice was never made for outside insurance, but it was down to a matter of weeks]
Similarly, some plans are more flexible with things like experimental treatments, study involvement, and brand name drugs. Those that cover these things cost more. Those that do not cost less, and this is where we get the “HMOs are BAD. They don’t want to fix people. They want their customers to die!” :rolleyes: People (most often via their employer) have made choices to get a lower cost plan, and as a result, a few get horrible diseases that have no cure at the moment… but there is this study they’ve heard about… there is new research into a new drug that will save their life (perhaps)… and the mean old HMO won’t let them try the drug.
Or… what RealityChuck just said… he has more details on the names of the plans. I took too long to rant, I guess. 