1. What types of health insurance are there?

• Individual Health Plans: Just for you (or your family). You can get these through the marketplace or directly from insurance companies.

• Group Health Plans: Usually through your job or an organization.

• Short-Term Plans: Temporary coverage if you're between jobs or need something quick.

• Medicare/Medicaid: Government programs for seniors (Medicare) or low-income individuals (Medicaid).

2. How do I pick the right plan?

Look at:

• Monthly cost: How much you'll pay each month (premium).

• Deductibles: How much you have to pay before insurance kicks in.

• Out-of-pocket costs: Things like copays and coinsurance.

• Doctors and hospitals: Check if your favorites are covered.

• Medications: Make sure your prescriptions are included.

3. What’s Open Enrollment?

It’s a set time each year when you can sign up for or change your health insurance. For marketplace plans, it's usually in the fall. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait until next year—unless something big happens (like a job change or moving).

4. What’s a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

It’s when you can get insurance outside of Open Enrollment because of big life changes, like:

• Losing your job or health coverage

• Moving to a new area

• Getting married or having a baby

5. What’s the difference between PPO, HMO, and EPO?

• PPO: More freedom to choose doctors, but it can be pricier.

• HMO: You need a primary care doctor and a referral to see a specialist—usually cheaper.

• EPO: Similar to PPO but no coverage for out-of-network doctors except in emergencies.

6. What’s a deductible?

It’s the amount you pay out-of-pocket for medical services before your insurance starts to help. If your deductible is $1,000, you pay the first $1,000.

7. What’s the difference between in-network and out-of-network?

• In-network: Doctors and hospitals that have agreements with your insurance. They cost you less.

• Out-of-network: Providers who don’t have agreements with your insurance. They cost more.

8. How can I check if my doctor is in-network?

Your advisor can help look up the doctors you prefer to make sure they are in network.

9. How do I file a claim?

Your advisor will guide you through this process.