Services
Group Insurances
Group insurance is a health care coverage plan in which individual employees or members are included under one 'master policy' owned by their employers. Because the group insurance plan has so many contributors, the policy often provides coverage for more services at a much lower cost per participant. Group insurance may be provided by other organizations besides for-profit companies. Labor unions, churches and other service groups can also obtain group insurance for recognized members and possibly their dependents.
Individual members of a group insurance plan receive insurance certificates which demonstrate their eligibility for benefits. If the master policy held by the employer requires participation in an HMO (health maintenance organization), then individuals are also registered as members. Other group insurance policies may be associated with major medical groups such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A major medical policy may or may not restrict an individual's choice of primary physician and specialists. HMO policies often require a patient to use a specified physician, who must approve any visits to eligible specialists.