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Health insurance finder

We’ll guide you through four brief sets of questions that will provide a great snapshot of your health insurance requirements.
If you have access to your insurance documents, this process should take less than 2 minutes to complete.
Are you unemployed and lost your job within the past 60 days?
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Can you get health insurance from your job?
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Do you have spouse who can get health insurance through a job?
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What is your age?
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COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
People who lose their employer-sponsored health insurance may qualify for a COBRA plan. COBRA lets you keep your former employer’s health plan, but you’re responsible for paying all of the costs, including your former employer’s portion.
Know more about COBRA
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How much is your family income?

$1,000 $100,000

How big is your family?

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Medicare

People who are 65 and over qualify for Medicare. You can choose Original Medicare (also called Parts A and B), which is offered by the federal government, or Medicare Advantage (also called Part C), which private insurers provide. The average annual premium for Original Medicare is about $1,600. Medicare Advantage’s average yearly premium is $336, but you may have higher out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
Find out more about Medicare costs
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Medicaid

Low-income Americans qualify for Medicaid. Thirty-eight states expanded Medicaid eligibility, so lower-middle-class Americans may also be eligible in those states. Medicaid offers comprehensive benefits, but at little to no cost depending on your income. Each state has its own eligibility. Some states are flexible with Medicaid eligibility for people who are pregnant, a parent or disabled. If your household income is below 138% of the federal poverty level, you’re likely eligible for Medicaid if you live in a Medicaid expansion state. That level is $17,609 for an individual, $23,791 for a family of two, $29,974 for a family of three and $36,156 for a family of four. Non-Medicare expansion states have stricter income guidelines. Check with your state’s Medicaid program to see if you qualify.
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Parent's employer-based health insurance

The Affordable Care Act lets children stay on a parent’s health plan until the age of 26. Having a child on a parent’s health plan may or may not increase premiums. It depends on whether you already have family coverage when adding the child to the plan. If a parent already has family coverage, adding a child won’t likely increase premiums. However, going from single or couple to family coverage could cause premiums to skyrocket. The average single coverage employer-sponsored plan premium is $1,186. The average family plan is $5,447.
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Spouse's Employer-based health insurance

Most employers allow employees to add spouses to their health insurance. Going from single health coverage to a family plan may triple or quadruple your premiums. The average single coverage employer-sponsored plan premium is $1,186. The average family plan is $5,447. Not all jobs allow for spouse’s coverage, so you’ll want to check with your employer to make sure it’s an option.
Click to each one of find out more
  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO
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Employer-based health insurance

Most people with private health insurance get their coverage through a job. Employer-sponsored health insurance is usually cheaper than individual health insurance unless you qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Job-based plans are generally less expensive because businesses often pick up more than half of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the average premiums for a single coverage employer-sponsored health plan is $1,186 and the average family plan is $5,447 annually.
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  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO
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Employer plans are often one of these types of four plans. Click on each one to find out more.
  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO

Preferred-provider Organization (PPOs)

  • Pay higher premiums with a lower deductible
  • You have access to more providers, but pay much more for health insurance
  • You don’t want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don’t want to get a referral
  • You want the ability to get out-of-network care
Preferred-provider organization (PPOs) plans are the most common type of employer-based health plan. PPOs have higher premiums than HMOs and HDHPs, but those added costs offer you flexibility. A PPO allows you to get care anywhere and without primary care provider referrals. You may have to pay more to get out-of-network care, but a PPO will pick up a portion of the costs.
Find out more about the differences between plans

Health maintenance organization (HMO)

  • Pay higher premiums with a lower deductible
  • Restricted network of providers with lower premiums
  • You want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don’t mind getting a referral
  • You don’t care about the ability to get out-of-network care
Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans have lower premiums than PPOs. However, HMOs have more restrictions. HMOs don’t allow you to get care outside of your provider network. If you get out-of-network care, you’ll likely have to pay for all of it. HMOs also require you to get primary care provider referrals to see specialists.
Find out more about the differences between plans

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs)

  • Pay lower premiums with a higher deductible
High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have become more common as employers look to reduce their health costs. HDHPs have lower premiums than PPOs and HMOs, but much higher deductibles. A deductible is what you have to pay for health care services before your health plan chips in money. Once you reach your deductible, the health plan pays a portion and you pay your share, which is called coinsurance.
Find out more about the differences between plans

Exclusive provider organization (EPO)

  • Restricted network of providers with lower premiums
  • You don’t want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don’t want to get a referral
  • You don’t care about the ability to get out-of-network care
Exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans offer the flexibility of a PPO with the restricted network found in an HMO. EPOs don’t require that members get a referral to see a specialist. In that way, it’s similar to a PPO. However, an EPO requires in-network care, which is like an HMO.
Find out more about the differences between plans
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Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
To find the kind of ACA plan for you, would you rather...
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Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
People who would prefer to pay lower premiums with a higher deductible may want the below plans
  • Silver
  • Bronze

Silver is the second most popular plan in the ACA exchanges, with 35% of people with a Silver plan. Silver has lower premiums than any plan except for Bronze. However, it has lower out-of-pocket costs than Bronze. Silver plans pick up 70% of the costs, while members pay 30% The average single coverage in a Silver plan is $481 monthly and $1,179 for a family plan.

Bronze is the most popular type of plan in the ACA exchanges, with 41% of members with a Bronze plan. These plans have the lowest premiums, but also the highest out-of-pocket costs in the exchanges. Bronze plans pick up 60% of the costs, while members pay 40%. The average single coverage monthly cost in a Bronze plan is $440 and $1,080 for a family plan.

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Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
People who would prefer to pay higher premiums with a lower deductible may want the below plans
  • Platinum
  • Gold

Platinum plans have the highest premiums but the lowest out-of-pocket costs. So, you pay more for the coverage initially but less than other plans when you need health care services. Platinum plans pick up 90% of the costs, while members pay 10%, Not many health insurers offer Platinum plans. Only 2% of members in ACA plans have a Platinum plan, so you may have trouble finding one. The average monthly premiums for single coverage in a Platinum plan is $706 and the average family coverage costs $1,460.

Gold plans have lower premiums than Platinum, but higher premiums than Silver and Bronze. Gold also has lower out-of-pocket costs than Silver and Bronze, but higher than Platinum. Gold plans pick up 80% of the costs, while members pay 20%. The average monthly premium for a single Gold plan is $596. Family coverage averages $1,426 per month.

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What health insurance plan should I get? 

This health insurance plan finder is a tool designed to help you to find affordable health insurance and a plan that meets your needs. The best health insurance for you depends on a lot of personal factors, including your anticipated medical needs and how much you want to pay monthly vs. how much you'll pay when you need care. The tool on this page asks a series of questions to narrow down your health plan choices. You can then get health insurance rates to compare and select what works for you.

If you're not sure how to choose health insurance, what options are available to you, or what steps to take when choosing health insurance coverage, we can help you narrow it down.

How to find health insurance

Finding the best health insurance for your needs starts with answers to a few basic questions. First, what type of health insurance plans are available to you?

Are you employed? Does your job offer health insurance? Are you under 26 and can stay on a parent’s plan? Do you qualify for Medicaid in your state? Can you get subsidies to help pay for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan?

The health insurance plan tool will provide suggestions for health coverage based on your situation. It also provides information about types of health insurance plans, such as preferred provider organization (PPO), health maintenance organization (HMO) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to help you make the best decision.

The tool will also provide information about ACA metal tier plans to help you decide which one is best for you.

When choosing a health insurance plan, you need to think about your finances, anticipated health care needs and what you want from a health plan. Do you prefer health insurance with a higher premium but lower out-of-pocket costs when you need health care? Or would lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs a better decision for you? Most plans allow you to balance these two expenses

What to look for in a health insurance plan

When comparing plans, be sure to consider:

You should also look at customer reviews to get an idea of each company's reputation for customer service and coverage.

What are the ways to get health insurance?

The main ways to get health insurance include: 

An employer-sponsored plan is how most people get health insurance. A plan through your job is usually more affordable than an individual plan. Your employers pays part of your premiums, usually well over half of the costs, which means you’ll find cheaper plans at work than by buying a plan on your own. 

An exception is an individual plan through the ACA marketplace. People whose household income is below 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for cost-saving subsidies to reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs. 

If you’re not eligible for those subsidies, individual health plans can cost much more than an employer-sponsored plan.  

Medicare and Medicaid are limited to people who qualify. Most people with Medicare become eligible when they turn 65. Medicaid is based on income. Each state has its own Medicaid eligibility, though it’s usually people below 138% of the federal poverty level. 

Meanwhile, COBRA is available to most people who become unemployed. COBRA coverage is temporary and is expensive. However, COBRA offers you the chance to extend your former employer’s health plan for 18 months.