Getting health insurance is simple. Insure yourself and the ones you love.

There are different types of health insurance plans to fit different needs. For individuals and families, there are 3 types of health insurance. Some types of health insurance include government plans like Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, which can also be called Marketplace or Exchange plans, Medicare and Medicaid plans. Before you choose a plan during open enrollment, it may help to review the various types of plans to get a better understanding of which type of health insurance may work best for you.

• The Affordable Care Act, or ACA and also referred to as “Obamacare”, was passed by the government in 2010 in an effort to make insurance more available and more affordable for everyone. ACA plans, focus on preventive care and cover pre-existing conditions (that is a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts), in addition to a list of other health benefits. If you're looking for ACA coverage, you must enroll during the established enrollment period. Depending on your family situation and annual income, you may be able to get a tax credit to help offset your health insurance costs.
• Short term health insurance, also called temporary health insurance or term health insurance, may be right for you if you need to fill a gap in coverage until you can choose a longer-term solution. It might be a good option if you’re in between jobs, waiting for coverage to start, looking for coverage to bridge you to Medicare, turning 26 and coming off your parents’ insurance or many other situations. Short term health insurance offers flexible, fast coverage for those dynamic times of change in your life. If you can't afford an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan or have missed the cutoff to apply, you may want to consider a short-term plan. Compared to ACA plans, short-term health insurance typically provides much less coverage and does not help you avoid any state tax penalties. But short-term plans do accept applications year-round, and they can help offset costs if you have a medical emergency unrelated to a preexisting condition.
• HMO or Health Maintenance Organization. With an HMO plan, in most cases you must see a provider, or primary care physician (PCP), within your network. Your primary caregiver acts as your gatekeeper of sorts, referring you to others within your network. If you want to see a specialist, you may need to get a referral from your doctor. Because this defined network can help control costs, premiums tend to be lower with an HMO, which is also commonly paired with a low (or no) deductible.
• PPO or Preferred Provider Organization. With a PPO plan you have more flexibility to see the doctors that work best for you, although you’ll likely have to pay more for the cost of care for an out-of-network provider. Premiums tend to be higher with this type of plan, which is commonly often paired with a deductible.
• Medicare is a federally funded and operated health insurance program originally designed for people who are 65 or older. Throughout the years, Medicare has expanded to include disabled people under 65 and those with special circumstances.
• Medicaid is a federal and state program in place for low income families, seniors and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. People qualify for Medicaid by meeting federal income standards. The program is operated on a state-by-state basis, and may be called different names depending on where you live. In Minnesota, for example, Medicaid is called Minnesota Medical Assistance.

Health insurance exists to help offset the costs of medical events, whether they’re planned or happen unexpectedly. A number of factors may play a role in how much you pay for your health insurance. Some costs will vary based on your situation, like your age, where you live, even some of your habits might be considered. Costs may be lower if you are younger, and you have fewer health issues. And costs may be higher if you’re age 50 and over, because you may experience more health issues. You use tobacco or you include your spouse or dependents, because you’re charged for each person covered by your plan. Whether you need to get health insurance for the first time or you already have a plan and want to switch, we are here to help you find the right health insurance plan to suit your individual needs. Choose to call an expert now or fill a form to be contacted later by phone.