Health Insurance Resources

Don’t be embarrassed if you need help understanding your health insurance coverage. It’s complicated, and for most of us, just as difficult as preparing our taxes. But you don’t have to tackle it alone. Ask a friend or relative to help. Or, if you have the resources, hire a consultant.

Here are a few resources that you may find helpful.

Government

• Healthcare.gov – This site provides information about your rights under the ACA and access to the health insurance marketplaces where you can shop for and buy health insurance coverage and apply for government programs and subsidies. Help is also available by phone at the Healthcare.gov Help Line: 1-800-318-2596.
• Medicaid.gov – This site provides federal policy and program information about Medicaid; the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and the Basic Health Program that funds health insurance for low-income families, children, pregnant individuals, adults without children, seniors, and people living with disabilities.
• Medicare.gov – This site provides policy and program information on federally funded health insurance for people over 65.
• Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) – This Department of Labor site provides information and assistance to employees covered by private health plans as part of the employee benefits package, including information on COBRA. You can also call toll-free at 1-866-444-3272 to speak with a benefits advisor.

Private sector

• "How to Hire a Health Insurance Broker or Agent" – This Wall Street Journal article is written for businesses but includes general information about brokers and agents.
• Health Insurance Plans for Individuals and Families – This U.S. News & World Report guide provides ratings on health insurance plans in every state with a special section for Medicare plans.

Not-for-profit

• Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – This website offers help to patients with arbitration, mediation, and negotiation to settle issues with access to care, medical debt, and job retention related to their illness.
• Accessia Health – This website provides information about subsidizing the cost of health insurance premiums and a tool to review insurance options.
• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) – This website ranks the plans in state health insurance exchanges.
• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation – This website provides a wealth of information about healthcare reform, including tools that will help you apply the information to your situation.