Coverage for you and your family
Find affordable health insurance that fits your life.
Compare individual and family health plans. Get coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, and preventive care.
Licensed agents help you understand your options, check subsidy eligibility, and find the right plan for your budget.
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Health Insurance Explained
What is individual health insurance?
Individual health insurance is coverage you purchase on your own, rather than getting through an employer. It covers medical expenses like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, preventive care, and mental health services. Whether you're self-employed, between jobs, retiring early, or your employer doesn't offer coverage, individual health insurance ensures you have access to care when you need it.
Most individual health plans are purchased through the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or your state's exchange), where you may qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce your monthly costs. Plans sold on the Marketplace must cover "essential health benefits" including preventive care, maternity, mental health, and prescription drugs. You can also buy individual plans directly from insurers, though these "off-exchange" plans don't qualify for subsidies.
Understanding your costs—premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums—is key to choosing the right plan. A lower premium usually means a higher deductible. A higher premium means more of your costs are covered upfront. The right balance depends on how often you use healthcare and what you can afford each month versus when you need care.
How it works
Getting health coverage is easier than you think
Whether you're shopping during open enrollment or have a qualifying life event, we make it simple to find the right plan.
Step 1
Share your household information
Tell us about yourself, your family size, and your income so we can check subsidy eligibility and find available plans.
5 minutes
Step 2
Compare plans side by side
See premiums, deductibles, networks, and covered benefits for available plans. Filter by metal tier, carrier, or specific doctors.
Real-time quotes
Step 3
Enroll with expert guidance
Our licensed agents help you complete enrollment, maximize subsidies, and ensure your coverage starts when you need it.
Free assistance
Key decisions
What you need to know
Understand the important factors when choosing individual health insurance.
Subsidies reduce your costs
Premium tax credits can reduce your monthly premium to $0 depending on your income. Most Marketplace enrollees qualify for some subsidy.
All plans cover essentials
ACA plans must cover preventive care, hospital stays, prescriptions, maternity, mental health, and more—with no lifetime limits.
No denial for pre-existing conditions
Marketplace plans cannot deny coverage, charge more, or exclude treatment for pre-existing health conditions.
Free preventive care
All ACA plans cover recommended preventive services—vaccinations, screenings, annual checkups—at no cost to you.
Guided help
Professional help navigating health insurance
Health insurance can be confusing with deductibles, copays, networks, and more. Our licensed agents take the time to explain your options in plain English.
- Help determining your premium tax credit eligibility
- Guidance on choosing the right metal tier for your healthcare usage
- Assistance checking if your doctors are in-network
- Support during enrollment and throughout the plan year
Ready to explore your options? We're here to help.
When can you enroll?
Understanding enrollment periods is key to getting the coverage you need.
Open Enrollment
November 1 - January 15
The annual window when anyone can enroll in Marketplace coverage. Plans purchased by December 15 start January 1.
Special Enrollment
Within 60 days of qualifying event
Lost other coverage, got married, had a baby, or moved? You may qualify to enroll outside open enrollment.
Understanding network types
The type of network affects which doctors you can see and how much you pay.
HMO
Lower premiums, but you must use in-network providers and need referrals to see specialists.
Pros
- Lower premiums
- Predictable costs
- Coordinated care
Cons
- No out-of-network coverage
- Requires referrals
- Less flexibility
PPO
Higher premiums, but you can see any doctor. Out-of-network care is covered at a higher cost.
Pros
- See any doctor
- No referrals needed
- Out-of-network coverage
Cons
- Higher premiums
- Higher out-of-pocket for OON
- More paperwork
EPO
Middle ground: no referrals like a PPO, but no out-of-network coverage like an HMO.
Pros
- No referrals
- Lower premiums than PPO
- Large networks
Cons
- No out-of-network coverage
- May have limited specialists
Understanding your costs
Your total healthcare costs include more than just premiums. The deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in—a $1,500 deductible means you pay the first $1,500 of covered services. Copays are fixed amounts for specific services ($30 for a doctor visit). Coinsurance is your percentage share after meeting the deductible (20% coinsurance = you pay 20%, insurance pays 80%). The out-of-pocket maximum is your safety net—once you hit this amount (often $8,000-$9,000), insurance covers 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
You may qualify for savings
Premium tax credits are available to households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level—but enhanced subsidies have temporarily removed the 400% cap through 2025. A family of four earning up to $120,000 may qualify for subsidies. Many people earning $50,000-$80,000 get $200-$500/month in subsidies. The only way to get subsidies is by enrolling through the Marketplace.
Plan levels explained
Health plans are organized into metal tiers based on how costs are shared.
bronze
60%
Actuarial Value
Lowest premiums, highest deductibles. You pay about 40% of costs on average.
Best for: Healthy people who rarely need care and want to minimize monthly costs
silver
70%
Actuarial Value
Moderate premiums and deductibles. Qualifies for Cost-Sharing Reductions if income is under 250% FPL.
Best for: Most people—especially those who qualify for CSR subsidies
gold
80%
Actuarial Value
Higher premiums, lower deductibles. Insurance pays about 80% of costs.
Best for: People who use healthcare regularly or have ongoing prescriptions
platinum
90%
Actuarial Value
Highest premiums, lowest out-of-pocket costs. Insurance pays about 90% of costs.
Best for: People with significant healthcare needs or those who prefer predictability
Questions?
Common questions about individual health insurance
When can I enroll in individual health insurance?
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Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year. Outside this window, you can only enroll if you have a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying life event: losing other coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving, or turning 26 (aging off a parent's plan).
How much does individual health insurance cost?
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Costs vary widely by age, location, plan type, and subsidy eligibility. Before subsidies, a 40-year-old might pay $400-$600/month. With subsidies, many pay $0-$200/month. A family of four could pay $1,500/month without subsidies, or $200-$500 with subsidies. Get a quote to see your actual costs.
What are premium tax credits and do I qualify?
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Premium tax credits are government subsidies that lower your monthly health insurance premium. You qualify if you buy coverage through the Marketplace and your household income is above 100% of the federal poverty level. Currently, there's no upper income limit for some subsidy eligibility through 2025.
Can I keep my doctor if I switch to individual insurance?
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It depends on the plan's network. Before enrolling, check if your preferred doctors, specialists, and hospitals are in-network. You can usually search provider directories on the insurer's website, or ask your agent to verify network status for you.
Individual Health Insurance guides and resources
Dive deeper into individual health insurance topics with our expert guides and comparisons.
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Read moreReady to find the right individual health insurance plan?
Compare plans and prices in minutes. Our licensed agents are here to help you enroll.
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