Health Insurance Options Made Simple

ACA Marketplace plans are comprehensive major medical plans offered through the federal or state Marketplace. Depending on household income and eligibility, some applicants may qualify for premium tax credits or other savings.

Private health insurance is a broad term that can include comprehensive major medical coverage as well as short-term, fixed-indemnity, limited-benefit, or other products. Benefits and consumer protections differ, so it is important to understand exactly what a policy covers and excludes.

You may be able to enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of an event such as losing coverage, moving, marriage, birth, or another eligible life change. Other private products may have different enrollment rules.

ACA-compliant major medical plans generally cannot deny coverage or charge more because of preexisting conditions. Other private or limited-benefit products may exclude, limit, or apply waiting periods to preexisting conditions.

Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, maximum out-of-pocket limits, provider networks, prescription coverage, exclusions, and benefit limits. The lowest monthly premium is not always the lowest total cost.