Understand Your Health Insurance Options
We tell you how to pick the best health insurance – whether you get coverage through your employer or on your own – and offer strategies to hold down your out-of-pocket medical costs.
Deciding whether to buy health insurance is a no-brainer. Think of what would happen if you didn’t have insurance and someone in your family suffered a serious illness requiring a long hospital stay or expensive prescription drugs. How quickly would snowballing medical bills wipe you out? And don’t forget that most people now have to pay a penalty if they don’t have coverage.
But the health insurance world has changed significantly over the past few years. Obamacare introduced new rules about what health policies must cover, how and when they’re sold, and who must be accepted (insurers can no longer reject anyone or charge more because of their health). It also limited the amount insurers can charge older policyholders and introduced tax credits to help some people with the premiums. And even people who have coverage through their employer are experiencing many changes -- with higher deductibles, more out-of-pocket costs, less-generous coverage for prescription drugs, and shrinking networks of doctors and hospitals.
It’s important to choose your health insurance carefully and to learn some key strategies for getting the most out of the coverage once you start to use it. Here is some information that can help you save hundreds -- or thousands -- of dollars in health-care costs.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Guide to Picking the Best Health Insurance for 2015
Find out what to look for when choosing the best policy for your family -- whether you have coverage through your employer or are buying a policy on your own.
Buying Health Insurance in the Off Season
Open enrollment for individual health insurance ends on February 15, 2015, but you may be eligible to buy a new policy after that if you’ve experienced certain life changes.
Solutions for 3 Health-Insurance Challenges
Whether you get your policy through your employer or on your own, you’re likely to face higher deductibles, shrinking provider networks, and higher drug costs. Find out how to deal with these changes when you use your policy.
What to Expect From Your Health Insurance
Learn more about how employers are adjusting their health insurance coverage and benefits in 2015 and what you can do to make the most of the changes.
50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs
You’re most likely paying a bigger share of your health-care costs than you did in the past.I Insurers have been raising deductibles and switching from fixed-dollar co-payments to coinsurance, which is based on a percentage of the cost of care. Your out-of-pocket costs could rise significantly unless you follow some key strategies for smarter health care shopping.
FAQs About Health Savings Accounts
If you have a high-deductible health insurance policy – either through your employer or on your own -- you may qualify to contribute to a health savings account, which can give you a tax-free stash of money to use for medical expenses in any year. Find out how to make the most of an HSA.
Sometimes you can get better service, and maybe even save money, if you don’t use your health insurance. Find out about new options that can make it worthwhile to pay cash.
-
Six Steps to Take if You've Recently Inherited Money From a Loved One
It’s important to deal with the emotional aspect first before tackling the financial one.
By Kiplinger Advisor Collective Published
-
Alaska Airlines to Buy Hawaiian: Get Bonus Miles Now
How to use the Alaska Airlines credit card and frequent flyer program to save on trips to Hawaii, Alaska and beyond.
By Ellen Kennedy Published
-
As Mortgage Rates Rise, Renting Is Now Cheaper Than Buying for Many: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A jump in mortgage rates has caused housing affordability to slump and priced many first-time home buyers out of the market.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Sector Faces Financial and Regulatory Challenges: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter BNPL companies are facing the challenges of high costs, tightening financial conditions and regulatory scrutiny.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
More Signs of Belt-Tightening and a Slowing Economy: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Although fewer banks are tightening lending standards, more businesses and households are feeling the squeeze.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
What Is Comprehensive Coverage and What Does It Cover?
insurance This grab bag of coverages can protect you and your vehicle from theft, fire and forces of nature.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
Passport Processing Times Speed Up: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter The State Department credits an increase in staff and new technology with shrinking processing times.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
White House Aims to Limit Access to Short-Term Health Plans: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter The Biden administration's draft rule would restore several Obama-era regulations.
By Matthew Housiaux Published
-
What Is Liability Insurance and What Does It Cover?
insurance Liability insurance protects you if you injure someone else or damage their property with your car.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
What Is Collision Insurance and What Does It Cover?
insurance Collision insurance is often optional, but there are many good reasons to include it in your policy.
By Donna LeValley Published