Getting health insurance in America can feel scary and cost a lot. But it doesn't have to break your budget. You can find good, cheap health insurance if you know where to look. This guide will show you how to find the best deals. We'll share tips that insurance companies don't want you to know.

Your Health Insurance Options

The US health care system is different from other countries. It has problems, but it also has chances for people who know their options. Here are your main choices:

• Government help through Healthcare.gov - Many people don't know they can get help paying for these plans
• Short-term plans that cover you for a few months
• Health sharing groups that work differently than regular insurance
• Job-based insurance that most people have but isn't always the cheapest

Each option has good and bad points. A young freelancer needs different coverage than a family with kids. Not every option works for every person.

Healthcare.gov Makes Insurance Cheaper

The federal marketplace at Healthcare.gov is your best place to start looking for cheap coverage. You may have heard that it costs too much. But many people who shop there get big discounts on their monthly bills.

Here's what most people miss: Advanced Premium Tax Credits can make your monthly cost very low. Sometimes less than $50 per month. You can get help if you make up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

In 2024, people making up to about $58,000 could get help. Families of 4 making up to $120,000 could also get help. The application is much easier now than when it first started.

Which Plan Type to Pick

Bronze plans cost the least each month. But you pay more when you need care. You might pay $6,000 to $9,000 before insurance kicks in.

Silver plans cost more each month but cover more of your costs. If you make less than 250% of the poverty level, Silver plans give you extra help. Your costs go down even more.

Gold and Platinum plans work best if you have ongoing health problems or take expensive drugs. You pay more each month but less when you get care.

What You Need to Apply

Have these ready when you apply:

• Recent pay stubs
• Tax returns
• Info about any insurance you have now

Be honest about how much you think you'll make next year. You'll have to pay back money if you get too much help. You'll get more help at tax time if you don't get enough.

When You Can Sign Up

You can usually sign up from November to mid-January each year. But big life changes let you sign up at other times. You can sign up if you:

• Lose job insurance
• Move to a new area
• Get married or divorced
• Have a baby
• Your income changes a lot

If you're planning a big life change, time it right. If you want to leave your job to start a business, do it at the start of a month. You have 60 days to get new coverage.

Short-Term Plans: Good and Bad

Short-term plans have become popular lately. They can cover you for up to 364 days in most states. These plans usually cost 50% to 70% less than regular insurance. This makes them attractive to healthy people who need coverage for a short time.

The Problems

Short-term plans don't have to follow ACA rules. This means they can:

• Not cover health problems you already have
• Put limits on how much they'll pay
• Not cover many prescription drugs

Short-term plans work for sudden accidents or injuries. They don't work well for ongoing health care.

Who Should Think About Short-Term Plans

If you're young, healthy, and rarely see a doctor, short-term insurance might work. You only want protection from big emergencies. But if you have any ongoing health problems or take medicine regularly, these plans cause more problems than they solve.

Big Warning

Many short-term companies let you extend coverage for up to 3 years. Be careful. Any health problems that start during your first term become "pre-existing conditions." They won't be covered if you extend or buy a new policy later.

Health Sharing Groups: Not Really Insurance

Health sharing ministries use a religious exemption from insurance laws. Members share each other's medical costs. Groups like Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Christian Healthcare Ministries have grown lately.

How They Work

Monthly sharing costs are usually $200 to $400 for families. This is much less than regular insurance. Each month, members send in their medical bills. The ministry then coordinates payments from other members for qualified expenses.

Why People Like Them and Why They're Risky

It's easy to see why these programs appeal to people. They cost less and you feel connected to a community during health crises. Many members love their experience and feel cared for by other members.

But health sharing ministries aren't legally insurance. They don't promise to pay your medical bills. Most don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, preventive care, and certain treatments.

Who They Work For

Health sharing ministries might work for healthy families with strong religious beliefs. These families need to understand the limits. They don't work well if you have existing health problems, need regular medical care, or want guaranteed coverage for all types of care.

Job Insurance: Use It Right

If your job offers insurance, it's probably your best choice for cost. Job insurance gets group rates and buying power. Employers usually pay 70% to 80% of the cost. But not all job insurance is the same.

Smart Choices During Sign-Up Time

Don't just pick the same plan you had last year. Look at all your options. For healthy people, high-deductible plans with Health Savings Accounts usually give the best value. But if a PPO plan doesn't cost much more and includes your doctors, it might be worth it.

Look Beyond the Monthly Cost

Most employers offer several insurance choices. The cheapest option isn't always the best value. Think about which doctors and hospitals you can use, which drugs are covered, and how much you'll pay out of pocket. A plan that costs $50 more per month might save you money if it covers your medicine and includes your doctor.

Health Savings Accounts Help A Lot

Health Savings Accounts are one of the best tools for managing health costs that most people don't use. You can only get HSAs with high-deductible plans. They offer special benefits:

Three Tax Benefits

• Tax-deductible contributions reduce the income you pay taxes on
• Tax-free growth on money you invest in the account
• Tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses

2024 Limits

• Single people: $4,150 maximum per year
• Families: $8,300 maximum per year
• Age 55 and older: Extra $1,000 per year

Long-Term Benefits

Unlike other accounts, HSAs never expire. After age 65, you can take money out for any reason without penalty. You'll pay regular taxes on non-medical expenses. HSAs work great as long-term savings tools beyond just health care.

Many people worry about high-deductible plans because you pay more upfront. But studies show people with these plans usually pay less total for health care. This happens because of lower monthly costs, HSA tax savings, and smarter spending.

Save Money on Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs cost a lot for many Americans. But many strategies can lower what you pay without hurting your health.

Generic Drugs First

Generic drugs cost 80% to 90% less than brand-name drugs. They work exactly the same. When your doctor prescribes a brand-name drug, always ask if there's a generic option. Most doctors think the same way but don't mention generics unless you ask.

Shop Different Pharmacies

The same generic drug can cost 300% to 400% more at different pharmacies in the same city. Apps like GoodRx, ScriptSave WellRx, and FamilyWize give you real discount codes for major pharmacy chains. These often cost less than your insurance copays.

Drug Company Help Programs

For expensive brand-name drugs, drug companies offer patient help programs. These can give big savings. Most large drug companies have these programs. They give discounted or free medicine to patients who meet income rules. The income limits are often higher than you think. Families making $100,000 or more per year often qualify.

Mail Order Pharmacy Savings

Most insurance plans offer mail order pharmacy. You get a 90-day supply for the price of 2 months' copays. For any medicine you take regularly, mail order saves you one-third of your medicine costs. Plus you don't worry about running out of important medicines.

Use Free Preventive Care

All ACA-compliant insurance must cover certain preventive services at 100% with no cost to you. This means no deductible, no copay. Examples include:

• Your yearly physical
• Cancer screenings
• Shots
• Health checks

Complete Preventive Care

Your yearly physical usually includes basic lab work, blood pressure checks, and cancer screenings for your age. Women's preventive care includes mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and birth control services. Preventive care also includes mental health services like depression screening and help quitting tobacco.

Using these covered services helps you find health problems early. Early treatment costs less and works better. Many people skip these services because they worry about cost. They don't know these services are fully covered.

Understanding Networks and Getting Care

Insurance networks decide which doctors and hospitals you can use at lower rates. If your doctor is in-network, you might pay a $30 specialist copay. Out-of-network, the same visit could cost $300. You need to know if your preferred hospitals and doctors are in the network.

Check if Your Doctor Takes Your Plan

Before picking a plan, check if your doctors are in the network. Insurance companies have directories on their websites. But these lists aren't always up to date. The best way to check is to call your doctor's office and ask. Sometimes they take the insurance company but not your specific plan.

Finding New Doctors

Ask your primary care doctor for referrals to specialists. Doctors usually refer to specialists in their network. When picking a new doctor, check their qualifications on sites like Healthgrades and Vitals. See what other patients say about them. Make sure they take your insurance.

Emergency Care Protection

Emergency rooms must cover emergency costs no matter which hospital you go to. If you need follow-up care after leaving the emergency room, your out-of-network charges apply if you go to an out-of-network provider. But the emergency room care itself will be covered.

State Programs and Extra Help

Many states have their own health insurance programs beyond the federal marketplace. California, Massachusetts, and New York have their own exchanges. They also have extra programs that can make coverage even cheaper.

Medicaid Expansion

Most states have expanded Medicaid. This covers adults making at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. A person making up to about $20,000, or a family of four making about $41,000, could qualify for free or very cheap Medicaid.

Public Options and Basic Health Plans

Some states have created public options or basic health plans. These give basic coverage with fewer provider choices for low cost. Usually no more than $100 per month. Basic health plans include essential health benefits while keeping things simple for doctors.

Group Coverage Alternatives

Professional groups, college alumni groups, unions, and trade groups sometimes offer group health insurance to their members. These plans can cost less than individual coverage while giving you more flexibility than job insurance.

The Real Cost of No Insurance

While shopping for cheap coverage, understand the money risks of staying uninsured. Medical bankruptcy affects hundreds of thousands of American families each year. Most of these families had some health insurance when their medical crisis started.

Money Impact of Medical Emergencies

• A small medical emergency can cost more than most people make in a year
• An emergency room visit for a broken arm can cost $3,000 to $8,000 before any follow-up care
• Serious conditions like heart attacks or strokes can result in bills over $100,000 in the first few days

State Penalties

The federal penalty for not having insurance is gone. But some states still have penalties for not having qualifying health coverage.

Collection Problems

Hospitals must provide emergency medical care even if you can't pay. But they work hard to collect payment afterward. Medical debt can hurt your credit score, result in wage garnishment, and create money problems for years after your health crisis ends.

Smart Shopping for Every Budget

Finding truly affordable health insurance means looking deeper than the monthly cost. You need to understand the total cost of ownership. A plan with a $200 monthly cost and $8,000 deductible can be more expensive over a year than a plan with a $350 monthly cost and $3,000 deductible. This is especially true if you need to use your insurance.

Figure Out Your Total Yearly Costs

1. Estimate your yearly health care use
2. Add up your routine doctor visits, prescription drugs, and procedures you know you'll need
3. Add an extra 20% to 30% for unexpected expenses
4. Compare your estimated yearly total against the sum of monthly costs plus the deductible for each plan

Watch Copay Structures

Pay attention to copay structures for services you know you'll use. If you see a therapist every week, a plan with $20 copays versus $50 copays saves you $1,560 per year. That amount alone could make up for a higher monthly cost.

Prescription Drug Lists

If you take any medicine regularly, look at the prescription drug list. Each plan puts drugs into tiers. Tier one has the cheapest generic drugs. Tier four or five has specialty drugs. A tier one drug on one plan might be tier three on another plan. This could change your out-of-pocket cost a lot.

Other Types of Coverage to Think About

Direct Primary Care

Direct primary care is a new model that's getting more popular. You pay a primary care doctor's office a monthly fee. Usually $50 to $150. This gets you unlimited office visits, basic lab work, and direct contact with your doctor.

Direct primary care isn't meant to replace regular insurance for major medical events. But it can greatly reduce your costs for regular care. It also lets you have a more personal relationship with your doctor. Many direct primary care patients combine this with a high-deductible insurance plan for major medical events.

Healthcare Sharing Plans

Healthcare sharing plans work as non-religious organizations to save costs compared to health sharing ministries. These plans usually cost less than regular insurance and provide better coverage than health sharing ministries.

Concierge Medicine

Concierge medicine bills patients directly. It provides more services and 24/7 doctor access for higher monthly fees. Even though concierge medicine isn't usually seen as "affordable," it offers great value for patients with complex health needs. They can avoid emergency rooms and specialist referrals.

Where You Live Affects Your Choices

Where you live greatly impacts your health insurance choices and costs. Cities have more plan options and doctor networks. Rural areas may have fewer options and higher costs because there's less competition.

State Medicaid Expansion Impact

States that expanded Medicaid cover more low-income residents. States that didn't expand create coverage gaps. People who earn too much for regular Medicaid but too little for marketplace help are especially hurt. This affects people making between 100% to 138% of the poverty level in non-expansion states.

State-Specific Programs

Some states have started programs that give extra money help beyond federal guidelines. For example, California's Covered California gives extra help to working middle-income residents who don't qualify for federal premium tax credits.

Medical Tourism Thoughts

States next to Canada sometimes have patients who look into medical tourism for expensive procedures. This can create problems with follow-up care and complications. Residents should know about these potential issues.

Job Coverage: Make the Most of Your Benefits

Even when your employer pays for health insurance, you have more control over costs than most people think. During sign-up time, employees often have many different plan options. Picking the wrong plan can cost thousands of dollars every year.

High-Deductible Plans with HSA Money

Most employers offer high-deductible plans with employer money put into an HSA for extra help. This usually provides the best long-term value, especially for younger and healthier employees. Employers might put $500 to $2,000 per year into HSAs for employees. This costs the employer less than full healthcare coverage.

Family Coverage Thoughts

Pay attention to family coverage choices. It might cost more to add a spouse to your employer plan than for them to get individual marketplace coverage. This is especially true if they can get premium tax credits. Do the math both ways before assuming.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible spending accounts let employees use pre-tax income on qualified medical expenses. But remember it's use-it-or-lose-it. FSAs work great for predictable expenses like glasses, contacts, or ongoing prescription costs.

Self-Employed and Freelance Solutions

The path for self-employed people is hard when it comes to health insurance costs. But they have tax advantages they can use. The self-employed premium deduction on health insurance reduces your adjusted gross income. This can even help you qualify for other credits.

Group Coverage Options

Look at professional groups like the Freelancers Union that might offer group health insurance. These group plans can be much cheaper than individual plans you'd buy on the marketplace.

Income Strategy for Help

Think about how you structure your income when self-employed to get the best benefits from marketplace help. Premium tax credits use your modified adjusted gross income to decide your tax credits. Valid business deductions that lower your gross income can help you qualify for more help.

Quarterly Tax Thoughts

Once you're self-employed and getting premium tax credits, think about quarterly estimated tax payments. Under-reporting income can mean you owe back help at tax time. Over-reporting can mean missing out on premium tax credits.

Family Coverage Strategies to Save Money

Families pay the most for health insurance. But they also have the most chances to be creative. Family marketplace plans can cost $1,500 to $2,500 per month. But they can cost much less depending on available help.

Split Coverage Strategies

Ask if your family members need the same coverage. If parents have chronic illnesses, can teenagers use lower-cost plans? Some families split their coverage. One parent and children use a marketplace plan while the other parent uses work insurance.

Children's Coverage Programs

Medicaid and CHIP cover children in families with much higher income limits than adult Medicaid. Children in families earning up to 250% of poverty level could get free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. This can happen even if parents earn more and don't qualify.

Family HSA Benefits

HSAs for the whole family provide a higher contribution limit. You can use it for any qualified family member. Teaching teenagers about HSAs and healthcare costs prepares them for lifelong money responsibility. It also provides contributions for medical expenses.

Young Adult Coverage Options

Staying on Parent Plans

People under 26 can stay on their parent's health plans. This gives full coverage at free or much reduced cost from the parent plan. Even if you're married, financially independent, or don't live in the same state as your parent, you can still stay on their plan.

College and University Insurance

College and university insurance is often a great way to get good coverage at competitive costs. But options vary a lot. Think carefully about what benefits they provide compared to a marketplace alternative. The marketplace option might have better protection with help paying.

Catastrophic Health Plans

Catastrophic plans might be available for people under 30 or those with hardship exemptions. These plans have the lowest monthly costs and very high deductibles that usually equal the yearly out-of-pocket maximum. They exist to protect against worst-case medical expenses with the least monthly expense.

Smart Coverage for Young Adults

Often, young adults take the cheapest plan without thinking about their health needs. If you have ongoing health issues, take medicines regularly, or do activities that could cause injuries, it probably pays to buy better coverage.

Seniors and Near-Senior Strategies

Adults approaching Medicare eligibility have special considerations. Medicare starts at age 65. If you retire early, you need a "bridge" to coverage.

COBRA as a Bridge

COBRA continuation coverage from your previous employer might cost a lot. But you'll have full coverage during any transition before Medicare.

Marketplace Options for Pre-Medicare Adults

Marketplace plans are also available for people in their late 50s and early 60s. But costs go up a lot in this age group. The American Rescue Plan Act brought back premium tax credits for most older adults who faced costs that were too high.

Money Planning Thoughts

Include all health insurance costs in your money planning if you're thinking about early retirement. Many people delay retirement because of health insurance issues. But knowing your options lets you make informed decisions for your situation.

Medicare Supplement Planning

Start planning for Medicare supplements years before you turn 65. Learning about Medicare and what it won't cover prepares you financially. This helps you avoid future costs and mistakes when you sign up.

Dealing with Pre-Existing Conditions

One of the best benefits of the Affordable Care Act is pre-existing condition protection. People today can approach insurance companies without fear of being denied, paying higher costs than others, or being excluded from benefits based on their health for ACA-compliant policies.

Non-ACA Plan Limits

Short-term insurance and health sharing ministries can still deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you have even moderate health concerns, invest in ACA-compliant insurance. This is true even if short-term or health sharing ministries cost less. Higher costs are often worth the protection you get from coverage of past hospitalizations, surgeries, ER visits, long-term medicines, etc.

Keeping Continuity of Care

Keep all records of your health care history and ongoing treatments. When switching plans, always try to ensure no breaks in your health care. For example, if you take multiple medicines, your new insurance might not cover medicines that your old plan did. The new plan might require prior approval or appeals processes.

Under a new plan, specialists might want you to restart ongoing treatments or be checked again just because you changed health insurance. Be aware and plan for potential breaks. Start planning before changeover day.

Regional Insurance Market Facts

Insurance markets vary a lot between different parts of the country. In some rural areas, you might only have one marketplace insurer. This means fewer choices but easier decisions. In cities, you might have five, ten, or more competing insurers. This means more choices but a more complicated decision.

Provider Network Geography

Provider networks are also based on geography. A plan that includes great hospitals and specialists in one city might have limited options in another city. This could be very important if you travel a lot or live close to a state border where you might need care in another state.

State Regulation Differences

State insurance rules vary and affect plan designs and costs. Some states have additional consumer protections or benefit requirements. These can make plans more complete but also more expensive.

Local Healthcare System Research

When looking at your insurance options, research the local healthcare systems in your area. Find the "major" hospital systems. A plan might seem very affordable until you find out it doesn't include the area's major health system or major medical centers.

Technology Tools to Shop Smart

There are online tools and apps you can use to compare health insurance options better.

Marketplace Window Shopping

The marketplace has a "window shopping" feature. This lets you compare plans and get estimates for help without creating an account or entering personal information.

Healthcare Cost Estimators

Websites and apps that estimate healthcare costs can help you guess what your likely out-of-pocket expenses might be under different insurance scenarios. These tools aren't perfect but help you compare plans with different deductible and copay structures.

Prescription Drug Pricing Tools

Prescription drug pricing tools like GoodRx and RxSaver show you what your medicines will cost at different pharmacies. They also help you pick insurance plans with drug lists that cover your medicines at affordable prices.

Telemedicine Integration

Telemedicine platforms have become more widely included in health insurance plans. This gives you easy access to basic medical care without office visit copays. Some insurance companies have developed their own telemedicine services. Others partner with companies that already have established telehealth platforms.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

Focusing Only on Monthly Costs

Many people pick health insurance based only on monthly costs. They ignore deductibles, copays, and network restrictions. By picking any plan based only on monthly costs, you might spend more money over time on healthcare. You'll also get frustrated when you need medical care.

Income Reporting Errors

Not updating your income estimate for your marketplace plan might mean you owe money back to the government at tax time. Or you could miss out on extra help. Report changes in your income as soon as possible.

Ignoring Drug Lists

If you don't understand your plan's pharmacy drug list, you could face unexpected high out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy. This happens even with health insurance. Make sure your medicines are covered when you sign up. Understand any prior approval requirements for expensive medicines. Understand extra requirements like step therapy if it's part of your plan.

Avoiding Preventive Care

If you avoid preventive service visits and wellness checkups because you fear the cost, you're probably missing covered services. You're also letting possible medical problems get worse. Most insurance plans pay for your yearly physical checkup. The visits can include screenings and shots at 100% coverage with no cost to you.

Emergency Money Help Programs

Hospital Charity Care Programs

All major hospital systems have some form of charity care program. These provide money help to uninsured patients or patients who show financial hardship. These programs help patients who meet income guidelines reduce or eliminate medical bills. Income guidelines vary by hospital system. Some guidelines extend to families earning 200% to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Drug Company Patient Help

Drug companies also have patient help programs for their brand-name and expensive medicines. These often provide free medicines for people who can't afford the cost. Most patient help programs have applications and income documentation requirements. But many patients save thousands of dollars per year on their medicines.

Community Health Centers

Community health centers provide healthcare services to patients on a sliding fee scale based on income. Federally Qualified Health Centers exist in rural and urban underserved areas. They must serve patients regardless of their ability to pay.

State and Local Programs

State and local help programs vary by region. They might include emergency prescription help, transportation support to medical appointments, and help with insurance applications and appeals.

The Appeals Process: Fight for Your Coverage

Health insurers often deny claims or prior approvals for medical services that your plan clearly covers. Understanding how the appeals process works helps you file your appeal well.

Internal and External Appeals

You need to understand both internal and external appeal processes. You must complete the internal appeals process before pursuing an external appeal. Document all your communications including phone calls, emails, or written correspondence. Request and save written explanations for any denials.

External appeals involve independent review organizations when you finish your internal appeal process. External reviews are binding on the insurance company. They result in many reversal decisions, especially for treatment that is medically necessary.

Consumer Help Programs

Many states have consumer help programs that can help you appeal an insurance decision or file an insurance complaint. These programs provide free help to consumers in complex insurance matters. They can advocate for consumers.

The Future of Your Health Insurance Strategy

Health care policy continues to change. Stay aware of whether there will be any changes to current laws that might offer you new coverage options or require you to change plans.

Building Flexibility

Build flexibility into your healthcare money planning. Health savings accounts, emergency funds, and understanding all your different insurance options help you adapt better when life changes.

Long-Term Health Thoughts

Think about your long-term health trends when picking coverage. A plan might fit your needs perfectly while you're healthy. But it might not work as well if you later need ongoing medical care or develop chronic conditions.

Keeping Provider Relationships

Keep relationships with medical providers whenever possible, especially through any changes in your insurance plan. Continuity of care improves health outcomes. It helps you navigate changes in health insurance more easily.

Making The Final Decision

Picking affordable health insurance means balancing your current medical care needs with your money situation and the risks you're willing to take. The cheapest plan isn't always the best deal. The most expensive plan doesn't always guarantee the best health outcomes.

Think About Total Healthcare Spending

Consider total healthcare spending including monthly costs, deductibles, copays, and prescription costs. Also think about the chance of needing healthcare services and money impact of a major medical emergency.

Available Resources

Use resources available to help you decide:

• Marketplace navigators are available to provide FREE, unbiased help with plan selection and completing the application process
• Insurance brokers can help explain health insurance options available outside the marketplace (remember that these brokers earn money from the plans they sell)

Trust Your Gut

Trust your gut about the level of health insurance coverage you need for peace of mind. Don't put your health at risk by worrying about potential money costs of medical bills. Pick coverage that gives you money protection so you can get appropriate medical care when you need it. Don't worry about the consequences.

Take Action to Find Affordable Coverage

Finding affordable health insurance requires careful research, planning, and understanding your options. For most Americans, this is absolutely possible.

Getting Started

1. Start by looking at options available through the marketplace and calculate your help eligibility
2. Compare total yearly costs instead of monthly costs alone
3. Figure out the breakdown of expenses if you go to the doctor once or twice per year

Remember: Perfect Isn't Needed

When deciding your coverage, remember that "Perfect isn't needed." A plan that covers 80% of what you need at a price you can afford is far better protection than no coverage at all. You can always look at chances to change health insurance coverage every year during the next sign-up period.

Money Security and Peace of Mind

Remember that health insurance protects your money security as well as your physical health. The money peace of mind, knowing you can pay for necessary medical care, is worth much more than the money costs you pay.

Final Steps

Take time to learn about your selected plan's benefits, networks, and procedures. Understand which providers qualify as in-network. Learn which services require prior approval before getting healthcare services. Finally, know where and how to get care in emergency situations.

Conclusion

The American health insurance landscape can be complicated and frustrating. But with knowledge and strategy, you can find coverage that protects your health and wallet. Start your research early. Ask plenty of questions when you don't understand something. Get help from qualified professionals when necessary.

Your health is your most valuable asset. Making sure you have a solid insurance plan to protect your health is one of the most important money decisions you'll make. With planning and smart shopping, affordable health insurance is realistic for most American families.