Learn about the different types of health coverage. Through the marketplace, you'll be able to choose a health plan that gives you the right balance of costs and coverage. You can be better prepared if you understand the types of coverage you'll choose from.
Make a list of questions you have before it's time to choose your health plan.
Make sure you understand how coverage works, including things like premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, copayments and coinsurance. You'll want to consider these details while you're looking for health insurance.
Gather basic information about your household income. Most people using the marketplace will qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs. To find out how much savings you're eligible for, you'll need income information, like the kind you get on your W-2, current pay stubs or your tax return.
Set your budget. There will be different types of health plans to meet a variety of needs and budgets. You'll need to figure out how much you want to spend on premiums each month.
Ask your employer if the company plans to offer health insurance. If not, you may need to get insurance through the marketplace or from other sources. If you don't have coverage, you may have to pay a fee.
Explore current options. You may be able to get help with getting coverage now through existing programs. Learn more about health insurance for children up to age 26, and programs for people and children in families with limited incomes, like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Medicare covers people who are 65 and older or who have certain disabilities.
Find out which marketplace will serve you. If your state has its own health insurance website, use it to compare your options and enroll in coverage. If your state doesn't have a health insurance website, use healthcare.gov.