Health insurance can be a daunting topic, but it’s an essential part of your overall financial plan. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll break down the basics of health insurance and help you understand the ABCs of what can be a complicated topic.

Let’s start with the basics. Health insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company that helps you pay for medical expenses. It’s designed to protect you from the high costs of medical care, whether it’s a routine check-up or a major medical event.

Now, let’s dive into the ABCs of health insurance.

A is for Annual Deductible

Your annual deductible is the amount of money you need to pay out of pocket for medical expenses before your insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 annual deductible and you visit the doctor for a routine check-up that costs $200, you’ll need to pay that $200 out of pocket. However, if you require a procedure that costs $2,000, you’ll only need to pay $1,000, and your insurance will cover the remaining $1,000.

B is for Benefits

Your benefits are the services that your health insurance plan covers. This can include anything from preventative care, like vaccines and annual check-ups, to major medical procedures like surgery or hospital stays. It’s important to understand what your plan covers so that you can take advantage of the benefits that are available to you.

C is for Copay

Your copay is the amount of money you need to pay upfront for medical services. For example, if you have a $30 copay for a doctor’s visit, you’ll need to pay $30 when you go to the doctor’s office. Your insurance will then cover the rest of the cost of the visit.

Understanding the ABCs of health insurance can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare. It’s also important to understand the different types of health insurance plans available to you, including HMOs, PPOs, and EPOs, among others.