Health Insurance Guides & Education

The HealthNerd Blog

Honest, jargon-free guides to help you understand health insurance, compare plans, and stop overpaying. Written by licensed advisors — no spam, no hard selling, ever.

HealthNerd vs. Other Quote Sites

Health Insurance Quotes Without Phone Calls or Spam: HealthNerd vs. NerdWallet, Policygenius, HealthSherpa, Stride & Other Quote Sites

Searching for health insurance quotes online can feel like a bait-and-switch — you want a price and instead get routed to an agent. HealthNerd shows an estimate first, then lets you decide whether to talk to someone. Here's how it compares to NerdWallet, Policygenius, HealthSherpa, Stride, eHealth and other quote sites.

October 10, 202616 min read

Rate & Market Trends

2027 Health Insurance Premium Increases by State: What ACA Shoppers Need to Know

ACA insurers proposed a median 15% premium increase for 2027. But your actual change depends on your state, age, carrier, plan, and subsidy. Here's a state-by-state breakdown of the increases and what they mean for you.

October 3, 202618 min read

Guides

What Health Insurance Should You Choose in 2027? A Guide by Situation, Income, Job Status, Prescriptions & Lifestyle

The right health insurance depends on your situation — not a single 'best plan.' A self-employed $180k earner, someone just laid off, a high-net-worth traveler, and someone on a $10k/month specialty drug each need a different strategy.

September 26, 202620 min read

State Guides

North Carolina Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything North Carolina residents need to know for 2027 coverage — HealthCare.gov Marketplace dates, initial rate filings, Blue Cross NC and UnitedHealthcare carriers, Cigna exit, NC Medicaid expansion, State Continuation, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

September 19, 202619 min read

State Guides

Michigan Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Michigan residents need to know for 2027 coverage — HealthCare.gov Marketplace dates, income limits, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, HAP and UnitedHealthcare PPO options, Healthy Michigan Plan, MIChild, COBRA, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

September 12, 202618 min read

State Guides

Georgia Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Georgia residents need to know for 2027 coverage — Georgia Access Marketplace dates, income limits, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare PPO options, Cigna exit, Georgia Pathways to Coverage, PeachCare, COBRA, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

September 5, 202619 min read

State Guides

Ohio Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Ohio residents need to know for 2027 coverage — HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment dates, ACA subsidies, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medical Mutual options, Cigna exit, Medicaid and Healthy Start/CHIP, COBRA, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

August 29, 202617 min read

State Guides

Illinois Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Illinois residents need to know for 2027 coverage — Get Covered Illinois Marketplace dates, income limits, BCBSIL and UnitedHealthcare PPO options, Cigna & Molina exit, Medicaid, FamilyCare, Moms & Babies, All Kids, COBRA, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

August 22, 202618 min read

State Guides

Texas Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Texas residents need to know for 2027 coverage — Open Enrollment dates, ACA subsidies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and UnitedHealthcare plans, Medicaid, CHIP, COBRA, state continuation, dental, vision, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

August 15, 202617 min read

State Guides

Florida Health Insurance Guide for 2027: ACA, Medicaid, Private PPOs, Dental, Vision, Employer Coverage & COBRA

Everything Florida residents need to know for 2027 coverage — ACA Marketplace dates, income limits, Florida Blue & UnitedHealthcare PPO options, Medicaid, KidCare, COBRA, Mini-COBRA, and how to compare ACA vs private PPO plans.

August 8, 202616 min read

Open Enrollment

2027 Health Insurance Open Enrollment: Dates, Income Limits, Subsidies & What to Know

Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Here's everything you need to know — dates, income limits, subsidies, pre-existing conditions, prescription coverage, and which plan type fits you.

August 1, 202615 min read

Plan Comparison

ACA Marketplace vs Private PPO: Which Is Right for You in 2027?

Open Enrollment is here and rates are rising. We break down the real differences between ACA Marketplace plans and private PPOs so you can choose with confidence.

July 25, 20266 min read

Self-Employed

Self-Employed Health Insurance: A 1099 Contractor's Guide for 2027

Freelancers, gig workers, and 1099 contractors get the short end on benefits. Here's how to build real coverage without an employer — and without overpaying.

July 18, 20267 min read

Insurance Basics

Understanding Deductibles: What You Actually Pay for Health Insurance

Your deductible is the single biggest factor in what you really spend on healthcare. Here's a plain-English breakdown — no insurance jargon, no fine print traps.

July 11, 20265 min read

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