Buying Health Insurance For Dummies May 2026

Before comparing plans, you need to understand the five main ways you pay for care:

: Your share of the costs for a service, usually calculated as a percentage (e.g., you pay 20%, they pay 80%). buying health insurance for dummies

: Lowest monthly premiums, but highest costs when you actually get care. Best if you rarely see a doctor. Before comparing plans, you need to understand the

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), plans are often categorized by "metal" levels, which tell you how you and the plan share costs: Before comparing plans