Home >  Health  >  Insurance  >  Your health insurance buying guide

Your health insurance buying guide

Our advice on health insurance, including HMOs, PPOs, and Medicare

Published: March 2013

Which health insurance plan is right for you depends on many factors, most notably your age,  whether you are employed, and whether your employer offers you insurance or you have to buy on your own. Regardless of your situation, see our guide below for what you need to know. And use our health insurance rankings to look for the plan that is right for you based on where you live, your circumstances, and the kind of coverage you think you need.


Understanding health insurance

Choosing a health insurance plan that's right for you starts with understanding how insurance works. Unfortunately, that's not so easy. Click on the image at right for a quick lesson in understanding health insurance.

Making the most of health care reform

Many important components of the Affordable Care Act are already in place, and the rest will be by January 1, 2014. That's when the law will  deliver on its biggest, most difficult reform: the promise of health care for all, regardless of medical history or ability to pay. Click on the image at right for tips on making the most of health care reform.

Choosing health insurance

Your health insurance options vary depending on whether you have a job, have to buy insurance your own, are 25 or younger, or have a pre-existing medical condition, like a history of asthma or heart disease. Click on the image at right for tips on choosing a health insurance plan.

Managing Medicare

Medicare offers comprehensive health insurance coverage to people 65 and older. But the decisions and choices you face can be confusing and overwhelming. Click on the image at right for our step-by-step guide for managing Medicare.

Navigating Medicaid

One in five Americans are now enrolled in Medicaid, the government's health insurance program for low-income people, as well as many people who are disabled or live in nursing homes. Click on the image at right for advice on navigating Medicaid.

Maximizing your insurance

Just because you have insurance doesn't mean it's easy to use. That's especially true if you want to go out of your plan's network of providers, have a flexible spending account, or have a lot of bills. Click on the image at right for our tips on maximizing your health insurance plan.

Related Topics

Get health insurance rankings

Click on the image at right for rankings of health insurance plans nationwide. Use the tool to:

  • Choose a plan category such as private HMO or PPO, or Medicare HMO or PPO.
  • Choose a state.
  • Customize your search to compare plans' scores and their performance in measures such as consumer satisfaction and providing preventive services.

   

Related Information


E-mail Newsletters

FREE e-mail Newsletters!
Choose from safety, health, cars, and more!
Already signed-up?
Manage your newsletters here too.

Health News

AndroGel and other testosterone gels can light your fire—literally

Testosterone drugs such as Androgel 1.62% and Axiron increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events in men who take the drugs. Children accidentally exposed to testo...

How do I know if my water filter is working?

Q. I have a water purifier in my fridge and one in my sink. Is there a way to verify that they're working? A.L., Columbus, Ga. A. It depends on what you're using the filter for. Different contami...

Where is the best place to get medication for my pet?

Not from your vet. They sharply mark up their drug prices, and tack on a $5 to $15 dispensing fee, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. For many pet meds, a better bet is your l...

The best video game console to help you get fit

Ever since the major video game platforms (the Nintendo Wii U, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Xbox 360) added motion-controlled gaming, players have been jumping off the couch and moving more ...

Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy shines a light on cancer decision-making

Angelina Jolie's announcement this week that she had both breasts surgically removed to reduce her risk of breast cancer has raised lots of questions about how to best prevent the disease in the ...
More news

Connect

Discuss products
and safety with
subscribers and fans

Follow us on:

Mobile

Mobile Get Ratings on the go and compare
while you shop

Learn more