Health coverage, explained
Make sense of your health insurance options
Deductibles, copays, marketplace and employer plans, Medicare and Medicaid — decoded into plain language.
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Plain-language explanation of how the coverage works and what it pays for.
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View all →Medicare open enrollment for 2027: dates, changes, and free help
Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. During that window you can join, sw...
Read more →ACA open enrollment for 2027: dates, subsidies, and avoiding enrollment scams
Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health coverage on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. P...
Read more →Types of health insurance plans explained
Health insurance plans differ mainly in how they handle networks, referrals, and out-of-network care. The main types — H...
Read more →What is an HSA and how does it work?
A health savings account (HSA) lets you set aside money for qualified medical expenses with tax advantages, but only if...
Read more →What is an FSA and how does it work?
A flexible spending account (FSA) is an employer-offered benefit that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible he...
Read more →What is COBRA continuation coverage?
COBRA is a federal law that lets many employees keep their employer health coverage for a limited time after leaving a j...
Read more →Popular how-to guides
Common questions
＋ What is the difference between a premium and a deductible?
A premium is the monthly cost to have coverage. A deductible is what you pay for care before the plan starts paying. You owe the premium whether or not you use care.
＋ When can I enroll in a health plan?
Most enrollment happens during yearly open enrollment. Outside that window you generally need a qualifying life event, like losing coverage, moving, marriage, or a new baby, to enroll.
＋ What is a special enrollment period?
It is a window triggered by a qualifying life event that lets you enroll in or change coverage outside open enrollment, usually within 60 days of the event.
＋ What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare is federal coverage mainly for people 65+ or with certain disabilities. Medicaid is income-based coverage run jointly by states and the federal government. Some people qualify for both.
＋ What is short-term health insurance?
Short-term plans offer temporary, limited coverage to bridge a gap. They are not required to cover pre-existing conditions or essential benefits, so read the limits carefully.
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