No jargon, no sales pitch — just the terms and concepts you need to make sense of your options before you ever talk to an advisor.
Tap any term to expand it. These are general definitions — always confirm specific plan features against your actual policy documents.
General market information, not a promise about any specific plan — always verify features against the actual policy.
These are two different, both legitimate, pricing mechanisms. Community rating (used by ACA marketplace plans) charges everyone in a pool the same rate regardless of health. Medical underwriting (used by private plans) prices based on individual health profile. Neither is a scam — it's about which mechanism fits your situation.
Some private plans on the market offer low-to-$0 deductible structures alongside broader networks. This is a real plan-shape option worth asking about — but it's plan-specific, not universal, so confirm the exact deductible and out-of-pocket max on any option you're considering.
Many private plans on the market now include telehealth access as a standard feature, letting you connect with a provider remotely for many routine needs. Availability and scope vary by plan, so confirm what's included before assuming.
Health insurance premiums are generally deductible from federal taxable income for self-employed individuals — a standard federal provision that can apply whether you're on a private plan or an ACA marketplace plan. This is general tax information; talk to a tax professional about your specific situation.
Deeper dives for people whose work doesn't look like a 9-to-5 in one zip code.
Why agency benefits fall short between contracts — and how a private PPO plan closes the gap.
Read the GuideWhy local networks break down hundreds of miles from home — and what to look for instead.
Read the GuideComparing private PPO plans against ACA marketplace subsidies when your income isn't a fixed number.
Read the GuideWhat happens when your employer's network is built around an office you never visit.
Read the GuideEach state handles the ACA marketplace and Medicaid a little differently — here's how that shapes your options.
Federal marketplace, no Medicaid expansion — a real coverage gap for low earners.
The largest marketplace enrollment in the country, still no Medicaid expansion.
Medicaid expanded in 2023 — fewer marketplace carriers heading into 2026.
Federal marketplace, no expansion, and some of the steepest 2026 rate hikes.
Medicaid expanded since 2014, with eligibility rules currently under review.
Runs its own state-based exchange with a longer open enrollment window.
Own state-based exchange, Medicaid expanded since 2014, no coverage gap.
Medicaid expansion runs through the unique Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0).