The Comprehensive Health Insurance Resources List

Updated October 27, 2020

Maybe you just finished college and are navigating health insurance for the first time.

Maybe you're buying your own coverage as a student.

Maybe you just lost your employer-provided health insurance.

Whether you just need a health insurance refresher or you are just getting your feet wet, I've collected the best resources the internet has to offer on the following topics:

Health insurance and COVID-19
Understanding health insurance
- Terms to know
- How health insurance works
- Medical bills
Types of health plans
- Marketplace (ACA, on-exchange) plans
- Private insurance (off-exchange) plans
- HSAs, FSAs, HRAs
- COBRA
- Medicaid and CHIP
- Medicare
- Student health insurance
- Catastrophic plans
- Short term plans
Enrolling in health insurance
- Open enrollment
- Special enrollment
Finding affordable health care
FAQs
Small businesses owners

I'll continue to update and add new resources to this page. If you think there's a resource missing, let me know.

Health insurance and COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 has changed the everyday life of most Americans. Local, state, and federal governments have made changes to address this crisis. These changes have affected health insurance and health care.

How to Get Health Insurance If You're Worried About Coronavirus or Have Lost Your Job — New York Times
State and Federal Efforts to Improve Access to COVID-19 Testing, Treatment (notes states with special enrollment periods) — HealthInsurance.org
What Will Health Insurance Cover for COVID-19? — eHealth
Yes, You Can Get Health Care While Social Distancing — Best Company
Telemedicine: What You Need to Know — Best Company
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Resources for Older Adults, Family Caregivers and Health Care Providers — The John A. Hartford Foundation
CDC Updates and Guidance — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Back to Menu

Understanding health insurance

Health insurance has its own language, terms, and definitions. The jargon can make choosing a plan and understanding medical bills difficult. Luckily, many websites have put together resources to explain terms and how insurance works.

Types of health plans

Another reason it's easy to be overwhelmed by health insurance is the many types of plans available. Below are the top resources on health plans created for specific demographics. Plans within the categories listed below can also vary by type of network and cost-sharing structure.

Marketplace (ACA, on-exchange) plans
Private insurance (off-exchange) plans
HSAs, FSAs, HRAs
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicare
Student health insurance
Catastrophic plans
COBRA
Short term plans

Back to Menu

Marketplace (ACA, on-exchange) plans

What You Should Know About the Affordable Care Act — Verywell Health
11 Things to Know About Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment — AARP

Back to Types of Health Plans

Private insurance (off-exchange) plans

Private Plans Outside the Marketplace Outside Open Enrollment — HealthCare.gov
How to Find Private Health Insurance — Medical News Today

Back to Types of Health Plans

HSAs, FSAs, HRAs

HSAs (Health Savings Accounts)

What Is a Health Savings Account (HSA)? — Dave Ramsey Blog
7 Tips to Choosing the Best HSA Account — Bankrate
HSA Basics — Benefit Resource, Inc.
6 Answers to Common HSA Questions — PeopleKeep
HSAs: The Secret IRA Nobody Is Talking About — The College Investor
Take Advantage of the HSA Loophole — Forbes
The Truth About HSAs and Retirement — Betterment
4 HSA Mistakes to Avoid in 2020 — The Motley Fool
The Best Ways to Use an HSA — The White Coat Investor

FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts)

If You Have Access to an FSA or HSA, Here’s Why You Should Sign Up for One This Year — CNBC
What Is a Flexible Spending Account? — Clark.com
History of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) — PeopleKeep

HRAs (Health Reimbursement Arrangements)

Health Reimbursement Arrangements: How an HRA Works — ConnectYourCare
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) — IRS.gov
The Difference Between HRAs and HSAs — PeopleKeep
What’s the Difference Between an HSA, FSA, and HRA? — Self.com

Back to Types of Health Plans

Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid and CHIP Coverage — HealthCare.gov
What Everyone Needs to Know About Medicaid — Bankrate
How to Apply for Medicaid and CHIP — USA.gov
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — Medicaid.gov
CHIP Program Name and Type — Kaiser Family Foundation
A Guide to Medicaid: Eligibility, Enrollment and What It Covers — HelpAdvisor

Back to Types of Health Plans

Medicare

What Are the Parts of Medicare? [Infographic] — Best Company
Basic Differences Between Medicaid and Medicare — Bankrate
Medicare.gov
Medicare Benefits — Social Security Administration
Medicare Terms and Definitions — The Healthy
Most Popular Medigap Plans Won’t Be Available to Some New Enrollees in 2020 — AARP
5 Questions to Ask About Medigap — Best Company
Understanding Your Health Care Needs — MedicareMadeClear.com
3 Expensive Misunderstandings of Medicare — Forbes
Understanding Medicare's Hospice Benefit — Elder Law Answers
Medicare and Mental Health: 4 Key Things to Know — Best Company

Back to Types of Health Plans

Student health insurance

In School? Student Health Plans and Other Options — HealthCare.gov
The Student's Guide to Health Insurance — BestColleges.com
College Student Guide to Choosing Health Insurance Plans — AffordableCollegesOnline.org
Student Health Insurance: Required Reading — HealthInsurance.org
An FAQ About Health Insurance for Students — Vice
Should I Buy the Health Plan My College Offers? Or Buy Through an ACA Exchange? — HealthInsurance.org

Back to Types of Health Plans

Catastrophic plans

How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan: Catastrophic Health Plans — HealthCare.gov
What Is Catastrophic Health Insurance, and Is It Worth It? — The Motley Fool
What Is the ACA's Catastrophic Plan and Who Is Eligible? — HealthInsurance.org

Back to Types of Health Plans

COBRA

Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) — Department of Labor
What Is COBRA Insurance? — Dave Ramsey
Do You Still Need COBRA Health Insurance? — HealthInsurance.org
Is COBRA Insurance the Best Option for People Between Jobs? — HealthSherpa
How to Get COBRA Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job or Retire Early — Business Insider

Back to Types of Health Plans

Short term plans

ACA Open Enrollment: For Consumers Considering Short-Term Policies — Kaiser Family Foundation
Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right for You? — HealthInsurance.org
What to Know Before You Buy Short-Term Health Insurance — New York Times
Warning: Short-Term Health Plans = Higher Premiums for Older Adults — AARP
Short Term Health Insurance: 5 Questions You Should Ask Before You Buy — Best Company
Short Term Health Insurance: What Top Companies Offer — Best Company

Back to Types of Health Plans

Back to Menu

Enrolling in health insurance

To enroll in health insurance, you need to pick a health plan. If you want a health plan that offers comprehensive coverage, you'll also need to understand enrollment periods. Outside of enrollment periods, you cannot buy comprehensive health plans.