Understand Health Insurance
Understand Medicare and Marketplace insurance options with easy links to your personalized platform.
Health Plans
Learn about Medicare and Marketplace insurance options tailored for you.
Medicare
Get clear info on Medicare coverage and how to enroll easily.
Marketplace
Find out how Marketplace plans can fit your budget and needs.
Medicare Information
Who Qualifies?
Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. However, you may qualify earlier if you:
Have been receiving Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 months.
Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 consecutive years.
When to Apply
Timing is critical to avoid late-enrollment penalties.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after).
Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you or your spouse are still working and have "creditable" employer health coverage, you can often delay Part B without penalty and enroll later when that coverage ends.
General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you missed your IEP, you can sign up between January 1 and March 31 each year (coverage begins the following month).
Different part of Medicare
Part A: Hospital Insurance.
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health care. (Usually $0 premium if you've worked 10+ years).
Part B: Medical Insurance.
Doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. (Requires a monthly premium).
Part C: Medicare Advantage.
Private "all-in-one" plans that bundle A, B, and usually D. Often includes extras like dental, vision, and hearing.
Part D: Prescription Drugs.
Optional coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, run by private insurance companies.
Marketplace Information
What is a Supplement (Medigap)?
A Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) is extra insurance you buy from a private company to fill the "gaps" in Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
Purpose: It helps pay for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Key Rule: You can only use a Supplement with Original Medicare. You cannot have both a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan at the same time.
Who Qualifies?
You can generally get a Marketplace plan if you:
Live in the United States.
Are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully present resident.
Are not currently incarcerated.
Note: If you are eligible for Medicare, you typically cannot buy a Marketplace plan.
When to Apply.
Open Enrollment Period (OEP): In most states, this runs from November 1 to January 15. This is the only time you can enroll or change plans without a special reason.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP): You can enroll any time of year if you have a "Qualifying Life Event," such as:
Losing other health coverage (job loss, Medicaid end).
Getting married or having a baby.
Moving to a new area.
Different Plan "Metal" Levels
Bronze: Lowest Premium and Highest Out of Pocket:
Healthy people who want "safety net" coverage.
Silver: Moderate Premium and Moderate Out of Pocket:
Those who qualify for "Cost-Sharing Reductions" (extra savings).
Gold: Highest Premium and Lowest Out of Pocket:
People who see the doctor often or take regular prescriptions.
Platinum: Highest Premium and Lowest Out of Pocket:
Those with high medical needs who want predictable costs.
Financial Help (Subsidies)
Most people qualify for financial assistance to make Marketplace plans more affordable:
Premium Tax Credits: These lower your monthly payment. In 2026, eligibility is generally for those with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Cost-Sharing Reductions: These lower your deductibles and copays, but they are only available if you choose a Silver plan.