Health insurance guides

Straight answers, written for people who just want to know what they'll pay and what they'll get.

• PPO vs HMO: which health plan is actually cheaper?

  A plain-English comparison of PPO and HMO health plans: monthly cost, doctor networks, referrals, out-of-network care, total annual cost math, and who each plan type suits best.

• Self-employed health insurance: what are your real options?

  Health coverage options for freelancers, contractors and small business owners: ACA Marketplace plans, premium tax credits, the self-employed health insurance deduction, HSAs and what to avoid.

• ACA subsidies explained: who actually qualifies?

  How ACA premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions work: eligibility, how the benchmark plan sets your credit, why Silver plans are special, and what happens at tax time.

• Turning 65: Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare plus Medigap?

  A clear comparison of Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap: costs, networks, travel, prescription coverage, the Part D penalty and the one-time Medigap window that closes.

• Affordable health insurance: how to actually lower what you pay

  The seven levers that actually change what you pay for health insurance: premium tax credits, metal tier, income estimate, network type, HSA eligibility, household split and enrollment timing.

• Family health insurance: how to compare plans for a household

  How family health plans price, why the family deductible is not simply double, when CHIP beats a family Marketplace plan, and the pediatric and maternity coverage rules to check before enrolling.

• When to shop for health insurance (and why December is the worst time)

  Search demand for health insurance peaks in December, the month with the least time left to check anything. Here is the month-by-month shopping calendar, built from search-behaviour data and federal enrollment windows.

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