Health insurance is easier to use once you know which numbers matter and which deadlines cannot be missed. This page puts our health insurance guides in the order most people need them, from picking a plan to appealing a denial. Start at the top, or jump to the section that matches your question.
Key dates: on HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Some states that run their own marketplaces use different dates.
1. Choosing a plan
- Open Enrollment Starts November 1. These 3 Dates Decide When Your 2027 Coverage Begins
- You’re Comparing Health Insurance Plans. Don’t Make This One Mistake
- Don’t Let a Low Premium Fool You: Look at These 7 Hidden Costs Instead
- HDHP vs. PPO: The Math That Shows Which Plan Really Saves You Money
- Before You Hit “Renew,” Look at These 6 Things
- Read This Before You Buy a $35 ACA Plan
- Are Zero-Dollar Premium ACA Plans Real or a Scam? What You Must Know
- Quiz: Open Enrollment, True or False? 12 Statements Before You Pick a Plan
2. How your plan’s costs work
- Your Health Plan Has a Number That Can Cap Your Bills. Most People Never Look for It
- Covered. But How Much Will You Actually Pay?
- You Paid $20 at the Doctor. Then the Real Bill Arrived
- Your “Free” Screening Came With a Bill. The Reason Is Often One Word on the Claim
- Your Deductible Resets on January 1. 8 Things to Check Before It Does
- Quiz: Which Number Matters? One Health Plan, 10 Bills
3. Networks, approvals and prescriptions
- Your Health Insurance Has a “Network.” Most People Check It the Wrong Way
- What Happens When Your Doctor Quietly Drops Out of Your Insurance Network?
- Your Doctor Ordered the Treatment. So Why Does Your Insurance Have to Approve It First?
- Your Plan Wants You to Try a Cheaper Drug First. Here Is How to Ask for an Exception
- Formulary Drug Tiers: Why Your Insurer Suddenly Refuses to Pay for Brand Names
4. When your life changes
- You Lost Your Job. The Next 60 Days Decide Your Health Coverage for the Rest of the Year
- Turning 26? Your Parent’s Health Plan Has an End Date, and It May Not Be Your Birthday
- How to Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) After Life Changes
- How to Keep Your Health Coverage If You Retire Early (Ages 55 to 64)
- You Have Two Health Insurance Plans. So Which One Pays First?
5. Denied claims and appeals
- Got a Denied Insurance Claim? Stop! Don’t Pay That Bill Yet
- Why Insurers Deny Valid Claims, and How to Appeal in 3 Steps
- How to Write a Strong Health Insurance Appeal Letter (Free Template)
- The Exact Deadlines for Every Stage of an Insurance Claim Appeal
- External Independent Medical Review: How to Take Denials Out of Insurer Hands
- How to File an Official Complaint With Your State Insurance Commissioner
6. HSA and FSA accounts
- What Is a Qualifying High-Deductible Health Plan for HSA Eligibility?
- Have a Bronze Plan? You May Now Be Able to Open This Tax-Saving Health Account
- HSA as a Retirement Account: The Triple-Tax Advantage Explained
- It’s Your Money. On December 31, Your Employer’s Plan May Keep It
On Medicare, or about to be? See our Medicare guide. Holding a bill you do not understand? See our medical bills guide.
Official help, free of charge
- HealthCare.gov: compare Marketplace plans and enroll. Phone: 1-800-318-2596.
- Find Local Help: free in-person assisters and navigators near you.
- Your state insurance department, for complaints about a health plan.
The Health Advocate is a privately owned website. We are not an insurer or a broker, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by HealthCare.gov or any government agency. This page is general educational information, not legal, medical, financial or insurance advice. Rules and costs vary by state and by plan. Confirm details with your plan or the official sources above before you decide.