Kate Ashford

Then you can do some rough math for what that kind of care would cost you under each plan. If you're totally stumped, you can log into your account for your current health coverage and take a look at the claims you've had this past year. My health plan has an app. I can look up my claims there or log onto their website. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. You do have to get into the weeds on this.

You can't do this while you watch Netflix.

You can't do this while you watch Netflix.

You can't do this while you watch Netflix.

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, and this is a type of health plan that works with a specific network of doctors and hospitals. Usually this is the cheapest kind of plan to choose, but it's also got the least flexibility.

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, and this is a type of health plan that works with a specific network of doctors and hospitals. Usually this is the cheapest kind of plan to choose, but it's also got the least flexibility.

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, and this is a type of health plan that works with a specific network of doctors and hospitals. Usually this is the cheapest kind of plan to choose, but it's also got the least flexibility.

You'll have to get referrals from your primary doctor every time you want to see a specialist, and you'll only be covered for doctors in the plan's network, unless it's an emergency. HMOs can be good choices for people who don't see the doctor all that often or whose doctors are all in the network anyway.

You'll have to get referrals from your primary doctor every time you want to see a specialist, and you'll only be covered for doctors in the plan's network, unless it's an emergency. HMOs can be good choices for people who don't see the doctor all that often or whose doctors are all in the network anyway.

You'll have to get referrals from your primary doctor every time you want to see a specialist, and you'll only be covered for doctors in the plan's network, unless it's an emergency. HMOs can be good choices for people who don't see the doctor all that often or whose doctors are all in the network anyway.

And if you're on a tighter budget without a cash cushion, this is typically the most affordable option.

And if you're on a tighter budget without a cash cushion, this is typically the most affordable option.

And if you're on a tighter budget without a cash cushion, this is typically the most affordable option.

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. These plans tend to cost a little more than HMOs, but you have more choices. You can typically see specialists without a referral, and if you want to see a doctor that's out of network, you can do that. It'll just cost you more.

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. These plans tend to cost a little more than HMOs, but you have more choices. You can typically see specialists without a referral, and if you want to see a doctor that's out of network, you can do that. It'll just cost you more.

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. These plans tend to cost a little more than HMOs, but you have more choices. You can typically see specialists without a referral, and if you want to see a doctor that's out of network, you can do that. It'll just cost you more.

If you travel, if you have complex care needs, if you don't want to have to ask your primary care provider every time you want to see a podiatrist or an orthopedist, this can be a good option.

If you travel, if you have complex care needs, if you don't want to have to ask your primary care provider every time you want to see a podiatrist or an orthopedist, this can be a good option.

If you travel, if you have complex care needs, if you don't want to have to ask your primary care provider every time you want to see a podiatrist or an orthopedist, this can be a good option.

HDHP stands for High Deductible Health Plan. These plans usually cost less, meaning the monthly premiums are lower. but the deductible is higher than a traditional plan. So you'd have to spend more money of your own before your insurance starts covering things. High deductible plans usually also come with health savings accounts or HSAs, which are a huge tax win.