How to Compare Health Insurance Plans
Plan comparison feels like a vocabulary test. Once you understand how four numbers interact, most plans sort themselves into a clear order for your situation.
The four numbers that define a plan
Premium, deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket maximum work together. A low premium usually means a high deductible, which is fine if you rarely need care and risky if you don't.
“Pick the plan that protects you in a bad year, not the one that looks cheapest in a good one.”
— Priya Raman
What to compare, in order
- Out-of-pocket max
Your worst-case exposure for the year. Start here.
- Deductible
What you pay before most benefits kick in.
- Network
In-network care costs a fraction of out-of-network care.
- Prescriptions
Tiering can change your annual cost by thousands.
If two plans land close together, choose the one with the stronger network for the doctors you already see.
Tags & Topics
Priya helps freelancers and self-employed professionals compare Marketplace plans, estimate subsidies, and pair coverage with a health savings account.
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