There are several types of health insurance plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs), and Point-of-Service (POS) plans. Each plan has different rules about how you can access care and which providers you can see.

HMO plans typically require you to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and get referrals to see specialists, while PPO plans offer more flexibility, allowing you to see any doctor without a referral, often at a higher cost.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts to pay. A co-pay is a fixed amount you pay for certain services (like doctor visits). Co-insurance is the percentage of costs you share with your insurance after your deductible is met.

In-network providers have agreements with your insurance company to offer services at discounted rates. Out-of-network providers do not have such agreements, so using them may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

You can find out if your doctor is in-network by checking your insurance company’s website, contacting your doctor’s office, or asking your insurance agent to assist.

The open enrollment period is the time each year when you can sign up for a health insurance plan or make changes to your existing plan. Outside of this period, you can only enroll or make changes if you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a life event (like marriage, birth, or loss of other coverage).

A pre-existing condition is a health issue you had before your new health insurance plan starts. Under current laws, health insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge more due to pre-existing conditions.

An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account available to people enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). You can use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, and the money rolls over year to year.

Whether you can keep your doctor depends on whether your doctor is in-network with the new insurance plan. If they are not, you may need to pay higher out-of-pocket costs or choose a new doctor.

Consider factors like the plan’s premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, the network of providers, coverage for prescriptions, and whether your current doctors and preferred hospitals are in-network.

Missing a payment could result in a grace period where you still have coverage, but if the payment isn’t made, your coverage could be canceled. It’s important to contact your insurance company immediately if you think you’ll miss a payment.

The ACA, also known as Obamacare, is a law that was enacted to expand access to health insurance, protect patients from insurance company practices, and reduce healthcare costs. It includes provisions like the creation of health insurance marketplaces and the expansion of Medicaid.