Insurance Basics: Home

The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 makes it easier for many Americans to get health insurance. It also expands the services that health plans need to cover.

The Affordable Care Act
Healthcare Proxies and Advance Healthcare Directives

Healthcare proxies and advance healthcare directives can help you plan your care if you ever lose the ability to communicate clearly.

Healthcare Proxies and Advance Healthcare Directives
How to Review Your Medical Bill

After you visit a provider, you may get a bill telling you how much you have to pay.

Provider Networks

Your plan may contract with doctors, dentists and other healthcare practitioners; hospitals; labs; radiology facilities; pharmacies and other types of providers. These are the providers in your “network”.

Experimental Treatments and Clinical Trials

Most health plans don´t cover treatments they regard as “experimental”. Sometimes, they may deny a claim for such a treatment.

Help with Insurance Issues

Being covered under two health plans doesn't mean the two plans will pay the same amount twice for the same doctor visit. Instead, the plans follow rules about which plan pays what, known as "coordination of benefits."

Did You

Know

Most plans have provider "networks", or a group of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers who agree to accept the amount your plan pays. If you see providers outside the network, you'll probably pay more.

Did You

Know

After you visit the doctor, your plan may send you an “Explanation of Benefits”, or EOB, explaining how much they paid and why. If you owe any money, you´ll get a bill directly from your provider.