Resources

Basics

Plain-English explainers on how health insurance actually works — deductibles, metal tiers, enrollment windows, and more.

10 articles

Basics5 min read

HSAs Explained: The Triple Tax Break Hiding in High-Deductible Plans

Deductible in, growth untaxed, medical spending out — no tax at any step. Who should use an HSA and who shouldn't.

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Basics4 min read

Deductible vs. Max Out-of-Pocket: The Two Numbers That Actually Matter

Most shoppers fixate on the deductible. The max out-of-pocket is the number that protects you.

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Basics4 min read

HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO: Network Types in Plain English

Three acronyms, one question: how much freedom do you need, and what will you pay for it?

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Basics4 min read

Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum: What Metal Tiers Really Mean

The metals aren't quality ratings — they're math. How actuarial value translates to your monthly bill.

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Basics4 min read

Missed Open Enrollment? Special Enrollment Periods Explained

Life events open 60-day windows all year. What qualifies, what doesn't, and how to document it.

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Basics4 min read

COBRA vs. the Marketplace: Don't Auto-Pilot the Expensive Choice

COBRA keeps your old plan at full freight. The marketplace usually beats it — here's the actual comparison.

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Basics4 min read

Dental and Vision for Independents: Worth Buying?

Medical plans mostly skip adult teeth and eyes. When standalone coverage pays and when cash wins.

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Basics4 min read

Short-Term Health Plans: What the Low Price Actually Buys

They're cheap because they can say no. What short-term coverage excludes, and when it's genuinely useful.

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Basics5 min read

How Premium Tax Credits Actually Work (With Real Math)

The subsidy formula in plain numbers: benchmark plans, expected contributions, and why estimates matter.

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Basics5 min read

Seven Open Enrollment Mistakes That Cost Real Money

Auto-renewal traps, network drift, and subsidy leaks — the errors that turn a fine plan into an expensive one.

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