Plan types & terminology

Two of the most-confused terms in health insurance, in plain English. The deductible is what you pay before insurance starts; the out-of-pocket maximum is the absolute ceiling on what you pay in a year.

HMO, PPO, and EPO are the three main health plan network designs. Here's how they differ, who each one fits, and how employers should think about offering them.

Both coinsurance and copays are forms of cost-sharing, but they work differently. Here's how each one shows up on your health plan and what it means for what you actually pay.

HMOs and PPOs are the two most common health plan types employers offer. Here's how they actually differ, what each one means for your employees, and how to choose.

An Explanation of Benefits looks like a bill but isn't one. Here's how to read it line by line, what each number means, and what to actually do when you receive one.