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Health Insurance 101

The most common health insurance options

By Kelly Montgomery, About.com

Updated: June 28, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Once upon a time, when people needed medical attention, they paid the doctor directly for his or her professional advice. But times have changed. Modern medicine can work miracles our grandparents and great-grandparents never dreamed of - but at a staggering price. Nowadays, most Americans rely on a third party - either a private insurer, or a public governmental entity - to help them finance the cost of their medical needs. The following are various types of coverage offered by third party payers in the U.S.:

Private Health Insurance

Government-funded Health Coverage

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