Speaker 1:  Welcome to health insurance made simple. Health insurance, at first glance, can seem a bit complicated, but it really doesn't have to be. Let's look at each of the plans individually and see what they're all about, as we decode the health insurance alphabet.

First we have an HMO, which stands for health maintenance organization. HAP has done a lot in recent years to make sure their HMOs are more consumer-friendly, which is why they've remained the leading HMO in Southeast Michigan for over 50 years. HAP's HMOs offer excellent customer service, comprehensive care, and access to the leading doctors and hospitals. Being a member of an HMO means you're part of a network. A network is the group of doctors, hospitals, and other health service providers contracted with HAP that have agreed to provide healthcare to you and your family.

As a member of an HMO, you will pick a personal care physician, also called a PCP. This is your primary doctor, usually an internist, general practitioner, or family doctor. The relationship you have with your personal care physician is important because he or she is the person who knows your complete medical history and will make sure you get the right care you need, including care from a specialist when you need it.

HAP also offers PPOs and EPOs. PPO stands for preferred provider organization. PPOs give you the flexibility to seek care from any doctor you want. In a PPO, you don't need a personal care physician or a referral to see other doctors within HAP's affiliated network. You also have the freedom to see doctors not affiliated with HAP, although you may incur higher out of pocket costs.

EPO stands for exclusive provider organization. EPOs are very similar to PPOs. Like a PPO, you are not required to choose a primary care physician or get referrals to see a specialist, but unlike a PPO, in order to get coverage, you must see doctors within HAP's affiliated network.

Let's move on to consumer-driven health plans. These plans give you more control and flexibility to manage your healthcare dollars to best meet your unique needs. First we have HSAs, or health savings accounts. HSAs are individually owned bank accounts that allow you to set aside money tax-free to use for health-related expenses associated with your health plan, such as copays and deductibles.

Next, we have HRAs or health reimbursement arrangements, which are employer-funded accounts that allow employees to share the cost of higher deductibles in exchanging for lower premiums. That's HMO, PPO, EPO, HSA, and HRA, the health insurance alphabet decoded. You can learn more about your health plan options at hap.org. Like us at facebook.com/hap to see what HAP is doing in the community. You can always reach us by phone. Health insurance made simple: understand your health plan with a little help from HAP.