Affordable individual health insurance is easy to find. A better health insurance plan could be just around the corner. Before you begin shopping for new medical insurance, consider the two main forms of healthcare coverage, indemnity and managed care.

Indemnity plans are the most basic. A fee for each medical service is charged, and the rules of the health insurance plan determine how much comes out or your pocket or the insurance company’s pocket. Indemnity, or fee for service, health insurance plans are generally more popular among those who do not frequently visit a doctor.

Managed care plans are more popular among individuals and families which frequently visit a physician. Under a managed care plan, fees are usually negotiated within a network of hospitals and physicians. The lower costs are passed to policy holders, who give up freedom of choice in exchange for better rates.

But the better health insurance plan is probably a combination of both indemnity and managed care medical coverage. This allows some flexibility, but lowers costs for regular medical services.