Understand Health Insurance in Minutes
Learn the essentials — carriers, premiums, deductibles, networks, and out-of-pocket maximums — so you can make the smartest decision for your health and wallet.
Public Insurance (ACA / Marketplace / Obamacare): Established by the Affordable Care Act. Public plans must accept anyone regardless of health history (Guaranteed Issue) and offer income-based tax credits (subsidies). However, without subsidies, premiums can be steep and networks often restrict you to local HMOs.
Private Insurance (Medically Underwritten PPOs): Offered directly through private carriers (UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, etc.). Because applicants must answer basic health questions to qualify, healthy individuals and families often receive lower monthly rates, access to nationwide PPO networks, and options for $0 deductibles.
On a traditional Bronze Marketplace plan, you might face an $8,500 individual deductible. If you break an arm or need an MRI, you pay 100% of the contracted rate until that $8,500 threshold is reached.
The HealthNerd Advantage: On private medically underwritten plans, many qualified clients access $0 deductible options with first-dollar copays ($25 primary doctor, $50 specialist) from day one.
Not Sure If You Should Go Public Or Private?
Let the health nerds help you decide with our quick 4-question interactive guide.