Coverage
Each category below fits certain situations and creates certain tradeoffs. None of them is universally superior.
Individual and family health insurance is coverage a household purchases directly rather than receiving it through an employer. Depending on where you live and when you apply, that can include plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace as well as plans sold outside of it. The structures, provider networks and benefit rules differ between those options.
Understand this option →If you are self-employed, there is no employer sharing your premium or narrowing your choices for you. You are shopping the same broad categories as any individual buyer, but your income can vary month to month, and your coverage decision interacts with how your business is structured.
Understand this option →Group health insurance is coverage a business sponsors for its employees. The employer chooses the plan or plans offered, decides how much of the premium the business contributes, and administers enrollment. Rules around eligibility, participation and contribution vary by carrier and state.
Understand this option →A PPO is a plan structure built around a preferred provider network, generally allowing you to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost and often without requiring a referral to see a specialist. Some PPO-style plans are sold privately, outside the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Understand this option →Supplemental coverage refers to products that sit alongside a primary medical plan. Dental and vision are the most familiar examples. Other supplemental products pay benefits tied to specific events or services. These products are generally not a replacement for major medical coverage.
Understand this option →Plan availability, eligibility, benefits, exclusions, underwriting requirements, enrollment periods and coverage vary by carrier, product and state.