How to Find the Best Health Insurance Plan

January 15, 2025 · 6 min read · Health Insurance

Shopping for health insurance can feel overwhelming. There are private plans, ACA and Marketplace options, employer coverage, and a wall of jargon in between. The good news: once you break it into a few clear questions, choosing the right plan gets a lot simpler. Here’s how I walk my clients through it.

1. Start with how you actually use care

Before you compare a single plan, think about your year. Do you see doctors often, take regular prescriptions, or have a procedure on the horizon? Or are you generally healthy and mostly want protection from the unexpected? Your answer decides whether a lower premium or a lower deductible saves you more money overall.

2. Know your lane: private vs ACA vs employer

Private plans are bought directly and can often be started year-round, sometimes with medical underwriting in exchange for lower rates and strong PPO networks. ACA and Marketplace plans are guaranteed-issue during open enrollment, cover pre-existing conditions, and may come with income-based subsidies. Employer plans come through your job with set enrollment windows. Each has a place, and the right one depends on your health and your budget.

3. Check the network before the price

A cheap plan isn’t a deal if your doctor isn’t in it. Confirm that your preferred providers and nearest hospital are covered. Most of the plans I offer use broad nationwide PPO networks, which give you access to a wide range of doctors in all 50 states.

4. Read past the premium

The monthly premium is only part of the story. Look at the deductible, copays, coinsurance, and the out-of-pocket maximum together. A plan with a slightly higher premium can be far cheaper over a year if it lowers what you pay when you actually need care.

5. Don't forget the gaps

Even a solid health plan leaves gaps, deductibles, dental, vision, and the everyday costs of an accident or illness. Standalone dental and vision plans are affordable, and supplemental coverage can pay you directly when the unexpected happens.

6. Get a second set of eyes

This is where an independent agent earns their keep. I compare plans across many carriers, translate the fine print, and recommend what genuinely fits, not what pays the most. And it costs you nothing to have that conversation.