How to Choose a Health Plan


"Your Health Plan Handbook: How To Get the Healthcare Your Family Needs from a Managed Care Plan" lists things Medicaid beneficiaries should know about. The same idea was communicated in workshops as well.

Provided by the Community Service Society of New York.


Decide If You Want to Keep Seeing Your Same Doctor

If you or your kids have a regular doctor or nurse that you want to keep seeing when you join a plan, find out which plans he or she accepts.

If your doctor accepts more than one plan, find out which one is best for you. Ask about the clinics, hospitals and pharmacies the plan will let you use.

Jackie Asks Her Doctor Which Health Plan She Accepts

Jackie: I am going to join a health plan. Which one should I join if I want to keep seeing you?
Dr. Rivera: I'm glad you asked. We accept only one plan. To keep coming here when you join a plan, you must join the plan we use. But you should also know that there are other plans you can join.

If Your Doctor and Your Kids' Doctor Do Not Take the Same Plan

Once you are required to join a plan, everyone in your family (with the same case number) may have to join the same plan. It may also be easier for you if everyone in your family joins the same plan.

What You Should know

If you can't find a plan that both your doctor and your kids' doctor accepts decide whether it is more important for you or for your kids to keep the same doctor.

Sylvia Thinks About Her Family's Needs

Sylvia: My doctor only takes one plan. My son Theo's doctor doesn't take that plan.
Marcus: Well you are pretty healthy. Theo always has to see Dr. Hakeem for his asthma.
Sylvia: So, if we want to be in the same plan, it's much more important that we sign up with a plan Dr. Hakeem takes. I can always find another doctor.

Think About:

Questions to Ask Plans

Before you join a plan, there are some questions you should ask. If you talk to someone from the plan, write down the name of the person you speak to.


Return to Document (Focus on the Fundamentals)
Return to Document (Preparing the Audience)