Health insurance is a kind of insurance coverage that covers medical expenses for illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions. It can reimburse you for expenses, or pay your care provider directly.
Choosing an affordable health insurance plan that meets your needs can be complicated. We put together these guidelines so you can find a plan that works for you and make the most of your coverage.
Americans get health insurance in many different ways, with most of us choosing from one of the following options:
The federal government operates the Health insurance Marketplace (available at HealthCare.gov) for most states. Some states run their own Marketplaces. “The Marketplace or “exchange” provides health plan shopping and enrollment services through websites, call centers, and in-person help.
New Yorkers can access affordable federal and state health insurance options through its own Marketplace, as well as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement, Medicaid, and HARP and CHPlus.
Private health insurance exchanges are usually designed to serve several large employers, so most people will only encounter them when signing up for job-based health insurance.
Employer-sponsored health insurance is a health policy selected and purchased by your employer and offered to eligible employees and their dependents in what are usually called “group plans."
With the right information and research, you can compare the available plans to find one that works best for you.
