Understanding Insurance
If you are 65 or older, you can also purchase individual insurance from private companies to help pay for some of the costs Medicare does not cover. These plans are usually called Medicare Supplement plans and you can read about those in our Medicare Ready section.
There are many reasons someone under the age of 65 might need to purchase their own health insurance:
- your employer might not provide health coverage,
- you might be an early retiree,
- self-employed,
- or transitioning from COBRA.
Insurance is available to help protect you and your family against health care costs and get access to care. You pay the entire premium each month; no employer makes any contributions. In addition, coverage is not guaranteed and the limitations around eligibility may vary.
| Supplemental Insurance | Supplemental insurance works in combination with other insurance and is designed to provide basic, primary health coverage. Learn More |
| Fee-For-Service Plans | A Fee-for-Service Insurance policy (also called indemnity insurance) is a traditional kind of health insurance. Learn More |
| Managed Care Plans | In managed care plans, health insurance companies contract with doctors and hospitals to provide health care to its members. Learn More |
| Hospital Indemnity Plans | A hospital indemnity plan covers some of the costs associated with a hospital stay and may provide extra coverage. Learn More |
| Dental Plans | Good dental health - and good dental coverage - is a great way to keep your whole body in good shape. Learn More |
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Product Finder Tool
Use the Product Finder Tool to discover health care coverage options for you.
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Tools & Resources
- Calculate Vision Savings
- Getting My Questions Answered
- Low Income Resources
- State Departments of Insurance
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Health Insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals.