Health insurance is available both through private companies and government-run exchanges. If you don’t have access to insurance through your employer or a government program, you’ll need to get individual coverage. Family insurance plans cover multiple members of a household under one plan.

You can get health insurance from:

- Group coverage at your job or your spouse’s/partner’s job

- Your parents’ plan, if you're under 26

- A private insurance company or the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace

- Government programs such as:

- Medicare

- Medicaid

- CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)

- TRICARE or the Veterans Health Administration for military personnel

- State-run health insurance plans (if available)

- COBRA (temporary coverage from your former employer)

When selecting a health insurance plan, you’ll need to decide on the coverage that suits your needs.

There are four main types of health insurance plans:

- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

- PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

- POS (Point-of-Service)

- EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)

Health insurance premiums come in three forms:

- Fixed premium: A consistent monthly payment, no matter how much you use the plan.

- Monthly premium: You pay a higher amount monthly, but with potentially lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing care.

- Annual premium: A one-time payment covering the entire year.

When choosing a plan, you’ll need to consider the range of services each offers. There are many different health plans, each providing varying levels of coverage, so selecting one that matches your health care needs and financial situation is key.

It's important to weigh all your options and ask plenty of questions before committing to a plan to ensure it’s the right fit for you.