Insurance Basics & Education
New to health insurance? Explore simple explanations of common terms, plan types, savings programs, and coverage rules to help you understand how Marketplace insurance works.
By Sam and 1 other2 authors16 articles
What is HealthSherpa?
State Based Marketplaces (SBM)List of State Based Marketplaces for plan year 2026 with contact information and OEP dates.
What is a subsidy?Overview of Marketplace subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, including how premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions work, who qualifies, and how to maintain eligibility through accurate income reporting and…
ARPA Marketplace Savings: What Still Applies for Plan Year 2026Details how the expiration of ARPA’s enhanced Marketplace premium tax credits after 2025 will affect 2026 coverage, including what changes, what stays the same, and how consumers can prepare.
Understanding Marketplace Health Plan Categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum)Learn how Marketplace health plan categories work. See how Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans differ in cost-sharing, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, and how extra savings may apply to Silver…
Understanding Health Insurance Costs: Deductibles, Copays, Coinsurance, and Out-of-Pocket MaximumsHealth insurance plans include several cost-sharing terms that describe how you and your insurance company split the cost of your medical care. This includes deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum,…
Understanding Health Insurance Network Types (HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS)Learn about the different types of health insurance networks—HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS—and how each affects your choice of doctors, specialists, and out-of-network care. See how to filter plans by…
What is Medicare?
What is COBRA?Learn what COBRA coverage is, how long it lasts, how much it costs, and how it compares to Marketplace plans so you can choose the option that fits best.
What is the Childrens Health Program (CHIP)?
What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?An HSA is a special savings account you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses, like doctor visits, prescriptions, and certain procedures.
What is a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)?A Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) is a special account that lets you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes to pay for eligible medical expenses. FSAs are usually offered…
What is the difference between an ICHRA and a QSEHRA?Both ICHRAs and QSEHRAs are ways that employers can help employees pay for health coverage, but there are important differences.
ICHRA vs. QSEHRA: Understanding Employer Reimbursements and Marketplace SavingsEmployers can help employees pay for health insurance through two types of tax-free reimbursement arrangements — ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) and QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement).
I want to see plans online, why am I being told to call and enroll?Overview of states that operate their own health insurance marketplaces, how enrollment differs from HealthCare.gov, and upcoming changes for 2027, including Oregon’s transition to a state-based marketplace and federal enrollment…
What are my options if I missed the deadline to submit my documents?If you don’t send the documents the Marketplace requested (like proof of income, citizenship, or loss of coverage) by the deadline, your coverage or savings may end. But you still…