A major medical health insurance plan generally describes any private individual or family plan sold after 2014 that follows the ACA’s new guidelines. This means it is a plan that counts as minimum essential coverage, offers the ten essential health benefits, follows guidelines for deductible and out-of-pocket maximum limits, and covers “major expenses” associated with serious illness… Read More

Covered benefits are the items your plan covers with cost sharing in it’s network. Uncovered benefits, or covered benefits out-of-network cost more. ObamaCare’s Essential Benefits vs. Covered Benefits Under the ACA all major medical plans must offer at least one covered service from ten categories of essential health benefits. That makes all essential benefits covered… Read More

What is Health Insurance Coinsurance? In health insurance, coinsurance is your share of costs of the allowed amount for a covered service after you reach your deductible. Coinsurance is different from a copay which is a fixed dollar amount for services and is not typically dependent on meeting your deductible. How does Coinsurance Work? Each service or drug that is subject… Read More

What is a Health Insurance Copay? In health insurance a copay (copayment) is a fixed amount you pay for covered services, typically when you get the service. Copays differ from coinsurance (the percentage you pay for covered services, usually after reaching your deductible). Each plan treats copays and coinsurance differently, so it’s important to understand if… Read More

What is a Health Insurance Deductible? Your health insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket for covered services before your insurance begins to pay. It doesn’t include premiums or costs that aren’t covered by your plan. Once you meet your deductible, your plan will pay its share of your coinsurance. TIP: Your maximum deductible… Read More

Out-of-Pocket Maximums Under the Affordable Care Act The ACA limits out-of-pocket maximums, the max amount of costs for covered services you’ll pay out-of-pocket in a policy period on your health plan. For 2023, your out-of-pocket maximum can be no more than $9,100 for an individual plan and $18,200 for a family plan before marketplace subsidies…. Read More

What is a Health Savings Account? A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account you can contribute to and draw money from for certain medical expenses tax-free. HSAs can be used for out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision. HSAs can’t be used to pay health insurance premiums. HSA’s can only be used with… Read More

If you are under 30 or obtained a “hardship exemption” you qualify for a high deductible, low premium, catastrophic plan. Catastrophic health plans are the cheapest plan you can get that counts as minimum essential coverage. Catastrophic plans can be good for those who want cheap, barebones care. Catastrophic plans tend to trade a low… Read More

How does health insurance work? You pay a monthly premium and your share of annual out-of-pocket costs, and your insurer pays it’s share of covered costs.  The concept is simple, but getting that perfect health plan takes some brain power and elbow grease.  By taking the time to master and internalize the content of this page,… Read More