Have Health Insurance Questions? We've Got Answers.

ACA plans are government-regulated and offer standardized coverage with income-based subsidies. Private plans (also called underwritten or non-ACA) aren't tied to subsidies and offer more flexibility for healthy individuals. Short-term plans are limited-duration, lower-cost options for gaps in coverage. Cost-sharing plans (like healthshares) are not insurance but pooled funds among members with shared values.

Not always. If you qualify for subsidies, ACA might be the most affordable. But if you're healthy and don't qualify for subsidies, private plans often offer better value.

You can switch ACA plans during Open Enrollment or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (e.g., losing coverage, moving). Private plans allow more flexibility with you being able to sign up any day of the year.

We'll help you verify provider networks before you enroll. Each plan has its own network lookup tool. Always confirm directly with your doctor too.

Yes. Most health plans don't include dental and vision, but affordable add-on policies are available and can be bundled.

Costs vary widely based on age, location, income, and plan type. Expect anywhere from $300–$1,000+/month for an individual. We'll help you estimate your actual yearly cost based on your needs. Learn more about early retirement health insurance options.

Yes. The key is aligning your coverage with your actual usage. We help people avoid overpaying for benefits they don't need while protecting what matters most.

High deductible plans usually have lower premiums and are better for people who don't use much care. Low deductible plans cost more monthly but cover expenses sooner. We'll walk you through what fits your risk tolerance and budget.

We check drug formularies during plan selection and can recommend discount programs like GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs.

It depends on the plan. We review your likely usage (via our intake process) and ensure the coverage matches. We'll also help you find lower-cost, high-quality care in-network.

Private plans can offer better value for healthy individuals who don't qualify for ACA subsidies. They often provide more flexibility in coverage options, broader networks, and can be significantly less expensive than unsubsidized ACA plans. We recommend them when they align better with your health profile, budget, and coverage needs.

Yes, absolutely. Private plans are issued by the same major insurance carriers as ACA plans (like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna). The difference is they're underwritten (meaning they consider your health) and aren't bound by ACA regulations. They're real insurance with real coverage—just structured differently than marketplace plans.

There are private plans with no network restrictions, giving you the freedom to receive care anywhere. ACA plans typically have narrow networks that limit your choice of doctors and hospitals. Private plans often offer broader networks or even nationwide coverage, while ACA plans may restrict you to specific providers in your area to keep costs down.

ACA subsidies are based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes income, dividends, retirement withdrawals, and more. The lower your MAGI, the more subsidy you may receive. We help estimate this during your consultation. Learn more.

Many self-employed individuals can deduct premiums on their personal return (line 17 of Schedule 1). You may also structure reimbursements through an S-Corp or consider a stipend if you have employees. We'll guide you based on your setup.

If you get subsidies and your income ends up higher than expected, you may have to repay some or all of the subsidy at tax time. We help you plan conservatively and adjust mid-year if needed.

There's no federal penalty anymore, but a few states still require coverage (e.g. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey). Even without a mandate, coverage protects you from massive medical bills.

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to choose an ACA or private plan. We'll compare options based on your health, network, and budget. COBRA can be a bridge but often isn't the best long-term solution.

Look for plans with nationwide networks or no network restrictions. Some private plans offer excellent coverage anywhere in the US, while ACA plans are typically state-specific.

Moving qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. We'll help you transition coverage smoothly and find plans available in your new state.

You can continue COBRA, choose an ACA plan (you may qualify for subsidies with lower income), or select a short-term plan. We'll help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

As independent health insurance brokers, we're not tied to any single insurance company. This means our recommendations are based solely on what's best for you, not what earns us the highest commission. We provide unbiased health insurance advice and have access to plans from multiple carriers.

We are licensed health insurance brokers in 28 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and West Virginia.

No, our services are free to you. As licensed health insurance brokers, we are compensated by the insurance companies when you enroll in a plan. This compensation does not affect the cost of your premium or our recommendations.

Our founder Matt Allen has a decade of experience in health insurance, and our team has collectively helped hundreds of families across 28 states find the right coverage. We've been operating as Iconic Insurance since 2020.

Yes! We partner with financial planners to provide comprehensive health insurance guidance for their clients. We offer CE credits, resources, and referral support to help financial professionals better serve their clients' health insurance needs.