How does a medical plan with a prepaid basis work?

Asked by: Dr. Ambrose Wilderman  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (32 votes)

Under a prepaid plan, insurance companies arrange to pay health care providers for any service for which an enrollee has coverage. The insurer effectively agrees to provide the insured with health care services, rather than reimbursement dollars.

How does prepaid insurance work?

The term prepaid insurance refers to payments that are made by individuals and businesses to their insurers in advance for insurance services or coverage. Premiums are normally paid a full year in advance, but in some cases, they may cover more than 12 months.

What does prepaid mean in medical terms?

A prepaid medical services plan (the "Plan") in which a physician charges a flat yearly fee to patients for medical care comes within the statutory definition of an insurance business.

What type of healthcare offers protection to subscribers on a prepaid basis?

HMOs are distinguished by the fact that they not only finance health care services for their subscribers on a prepayment basis, but they also organize and deliver the health services as well.

Which health plan pays benefits on a prepaid service basis?

HMOs provide medical treatment on a prepaid basis, which means that HMO members pay a fixed monthly fee, regardless of how much medical care is needed in a given month.

How Health Insurance Works | What is a Deductible? Coinsurance? Copay? Premium?

30 related questions found

How does a prepaid health plan work?

The term "prepaid health plan" (PHP) refers to those prepaid group practices which contract with the State of California to provide medical care for Medicaid re- cipients in exchange for monthly capitation payments.

What is a system providing health care based on a prepaid basis called?

Health maintenance organization (HMO) A health care system that assumes or shares both the financial risks and the delivery risks associated with providing comprehensive medical services to a voluntarily enrolled population in a particular geographic area, usually in return for a fixed, prepaid fee.

Do PPOs provide care on a prepaid basis?

Not Prepaid: Unlike Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), PPOs do not provide care on a prepaid basis. Instead, members can visit any provider, but they will pay more if they go out of network.

Which healthcare system provides services in a prepaid system?

HMOs provide medical care for their patients for a prepaid fee. Compared to other common health insurance plans, such as preferred provider organizations (PPOs), HMOs are generally less expensive. Patients with an HMO must have a primary care provider (PCP).

What is a prepaid subscriber?

As the title suggests Prepaid Subscriptions are subscription orders where your customer agrees to pay the recurring fees in advance and upfront.

How does prepaid work?

On a Prepaid plan, you pay for your phone service upfront. Prepaid services work by having you recharge your account before you can use it. Is a Prepaid Mobile plan right for me? Prepaid Mobile plans allow the freedom and flexibility in the way you use your mobile.

Which of the following is a prepaid medical service plan?

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provide or arrange for comprehensive health care services on a prepaid basis through designated plan physicians, hospitals, and other providers in particular locations.

What is prepaid benefits?

A Prepaid Benefits Card is a special-purpose MasterCard® Card or Visa® Card that gives participants an easy, automatic way to pay for qualified health care/benefit expenses.

What is the 12 month rule for prepaid expenses?

But an important exception exists, called the "12-month rule." It lets you deduct a prepaid future expense in the current year if the expense is for a right or benefit that extends no longer than the earlier of: 12 months, or. until the end of the tax year after the tax year in which you made the payment.

What is the normal balance of prepaid insurance?

Generally, Prepaid Insurance is a current asset account that has a debit balance. The debit balance indicates the amount that remains prepaid as of the date of the balance sheet. As time passes, the debit balance decreases as adjusting entries credit the account Prepaid Insurance and debit Insurance Expense.

What is the difference between insurance premium and prepaid insurance?

Prepaid insurance refers to premiums for insurance that are paid in advance. A premium is a regular, recurring payment made to a provider for the benefit of having insurance coverage. Typically, premiums are paid monthly.

Is an HMO a prepaid health plan?

Health maintenance organization.

A plan that provides prepaid comprehensive medical care. HMOs both insure and deliver services, and patients usually live within a limited area and must get their nonemergency services within the network (except in an emergency).

What are the three types of healthcare system?

Healthcare systems come in three main flavors: public, private, and mixed. Each type has its own way of funding, delivering care, and managing resources. Public systems offer universal coverage but may have longer wait times. Private systems provide quick access but can be expensive.

What is Medicare prepaid?

The Medicare Premium Payment Program, also known as Medicare Buy-In, allows Medi-Cal to pay Medicare Part A and/or Part B premiums for Medi-Cal members -and those who qualify for Medi-Cal through special programs. This program enables Medi-Cal to defer medical costs to Medicare where appropriate.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

Is a PPO a prepaid plan?

Unlike a prepaid dental plan, dental PPO plans have a deductible that must be satisfied before your coinsurance kicks in, as well as an annual maximum spending limit, usually $1200-$1500 a year. After you exceed your spending limit, you must pay out of pocket for your dental care.

What is a prepaid plan in medical terms?

Health Care Prepayment Plans (HCPPs) A Health Care Pre-Payment Plan (HCPP) is an organization is a union or employer sponsored plan that provides or arranges for some or all of Part B Medicare benefits on a prepayment basis. Payment for Part A services is made on a fee-for-service basis.

Which of the following provides health insurance on prepaid basis?

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a prepaid group health plan, where members pay in advance for the services of participating physicians and hospitals that have agreements.

What is a group health insurance plan that offers prepaid medical care to its members?

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

An HMO is a prepaid medical service plan that provides services to plan members. Medical providers contract with the HMO to provide medical services to plan members. Members must use contracted providers. The emphasis is on preventative medicine.

How are physicians paid in prepaid group practice?

The medical-care foundation reimburses the physicians from the prepaid fees of subscribers. Examples of this type of HMO are the San Joaquin Foundation in California and the Physician Association of Clackamas County in Oregon.