What is a common characteristic of individual health insurance policies?

A common characteristic of individual health insurance policies is their higher flexibility in choice of providers. Individual health plans generally allow policyholders to select from a broader range of healthcare providers and facilities compared to group insurance plans. This flexibility is beneficial for individuals who may have specific doctors or specialists in mind and allows them to tailor their healthcare options according to personal health needs and preferences.

While group insurance often involves a more restrictive network due to employer agreements with specific providers, individual plans frequently provide the option to see a larger variety of healthcare professionals without being confined to a particular network. This adaptability is an attractive feature for those purchasing their own health insurance.

Additionally, while individual health insurance may sometimes have higher costs compared to group plans due to the lack of collective purchasing power, and it's true that many newer policies address pre-existing conditions due to regulatory changes, the prime selling point of individual health plans tends to be the increased freedom in provider selection.