New York Health Insurance Coverage Through HIP

Are you looking for a New York health insurance provider that offers plans with a wide scope of health care benefits? You might want to consider HIP.

Health Insurance Plan of New York (HIP) is one of the trusted health insurance providers in the state. In fact it is considered the largest HMO in New York City by Crain’s. They currently operate in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. HIP’s network gives members access to 57,000 health care facilities and 39,000 physicians. HIP has over 1.2 million members today.

They began in the 1940s as a prepaid health plan company. HIP insurance company started offering HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans in the 1960s and POS (Point of Sale) plans and Medicare Choice HMO plans in the 1980s. In 2002 they launched more plans : HIP Select, PPO Select, EPO Select, HIP Classic and HMO Select plans.

Today HIP members can enjoy a wide variety of health care products and health care providers. HIP is one of the few providers that include alternative treatment such as yoga, acupuncture and massage. They even have spiritual support for members who deem it necessary for their recovery. Members who are struggling with a chronic illness like diabetes, asthma and arthritis can seek help form HIP’s disease management programs. In terms of getting health care services, members can choose to go with privately managed health care facilities or those managed by trusted hospital systems in New York.

HIP is also known for being the first in several aspects. They became the first American company that has a multilingual website. They are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. They were also the first health insurance company in the country to introduce comprehensive physician peer review to monitor quality in health care.

One special plan that HIP offers is a New York health insurance coverage plan specially designed for those with pre-existing condition. This is in line with the health care reform. This program should address their challenge in acquiring health insurance plans.  In our present health care system, individuals diagnosed with a pre existing condition is either denied coverage. Those who already have coverage sometimes lose their health insurance because of their condition. By 2014 all those who have pre-existing condition can be guaranteed coverage. So while waiting for 2014, the federal government has established the Pre existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). NY Bridge Plan is New York’s version of PCIP.