🏥 Health Insurance: Protecting Your Well-Being

Explainer

Health insurance helps cover medical costs for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care. In the U.S., coverage comes through:

• Employer-sponsored plans
• ACA marketplace (“Obamacare”)
• Medicaid (low-income)
• Medicare (seniors)

Comparison: HMO vs. PPO

• HMO: Lower cost, requires referrals, limited network
• PPO: Higher cost, more flexibility in choosing doctors

Guide: How to Choose a Plan

Compare monthly premiums vs. deductibles

Check if your preferred doctors/hospitals are in-network

Look at prescription drug coverage

Factor in out-of-pocket maximums

Trends in 2025

• Growth of telehealth coverage
• Expanded mental health benefits
• Rise of high-deductible plans + HSAs