Healthcare
If you don’t have access to health insurance coverage through your employer, what do you do? Fortunately, many low-income Americans can access health coverage, and healthcare, through Medicaid. But what if you earn too much to qualify for Medicaid in…
Interested in Obamacare, but afraid the premiums will be expensive? Here’s some great news. Obamacare, a common name for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, are very affordable—96% of people who enrolled through HealthSherpa during…
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a special kind of savings account for those who have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Using this account, you can contribute pre-tax dollars to be used for qualified medical expenses. So what does…
Once a year, all eligible Americans get a chance to shop the Health Insurance Marketplace and get a Marketplace plan, also known as Obamacare or an Affordable Care Act plan. This time is known as the annual Open Enrollment Period…
If you just lost your spouse and got health insurance through them, you don’t need to be uninsured now. The death of a policy holder is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that allows the surviving spouse and dependents to be…
Did you just go through a divorce and need health insurance? Good news: Divorce is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). And QLEs trigger what is known as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A SEP allows you to enroll in Marketplace…
If you have just welcomed a new baby into your family, you’ll want to ensure that the whole family is now covered by health insurance. Fortunately, the birth or adoption of a child is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that…
Did you just move and need health insurance? Good news: Moving to a different ZIP code or county is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). And QLEs trigger what is known as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A SEP allows you…
While searching for affordable health insurance options, you may come across something called healthcare-sharing ministries, or health sharing ministries. Healthcare-sharing ministries are not technically health insurance, so if you’re looking for health insurance, you’re better off with a Marketplace plan…
We’ve translated some of the confusing terminology around health insurance into plain English so you can better understand your health insurance coverage. Here are the main health insurance terms you need to know before you enroll. Grab our list of…
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors’ offices are closed for all non-emergency care. And unfortunately, some have simply closed indefinitely, unable to keep their doors open without being able to see their normal volume of patients. Nearly…
Family planning is a key component of health care for all people of reproductive age. And fortunately, all state Medicaid programs must offer some form of family planning benefits. Benefits vary by state, but health care providers and pharmacies may…
For many trans folks, navigating the United States health care system can be complicated. Transgender individuals often struggle when it comes to finding health care providers who understand the nuances of trans health care. Not all providers are cognizant of…
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are losing their jobs. And as a result, many Americans now must figure out how to support their families. Fortunately, there are a number of benefits available to workers who lose…
WIC, or the the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is a government program to help pregnant women and families with young children who are at risk of lacking adequate nutrition. Established by the federal government as…
What is SNAP? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps low-income Americans ensure that they have food for their families. Over 9.5 million American families are on SNAP, the…
Looking for affordable health insurance? We understand why you might be overwhelmed. With all the options out in the Marketplace, it can be hard to know where to start. To make your search for the best health insurance plan and…
Have you heard about the public charge rule in the news? You may be concerned about how this impacts you and your family. Here’s some more information on the rule and where it stands today. Note: this post should not…
One of the key components of the original version of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the “individual mandate.” In the world of health insurance, that means a requirement to have health coverage. The ACA had an individual mandate, meaning…
Live in California? Don’t forget that your have an extended 2021 Open Enrollment Period in your state. California’s Open Enrollment Period through their state-run exchange, Covered California, runs from November 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. Call (855) 772-2663 to…
There’s some great news in store for those shopping the Marketplace during the 2020 Open Enrollment Period. Those looking for Affordable Care Act plans will find that 60 percent of Marketplace insurers plan to broaden their participation in the ACA…
Still need health insurance for 2019? If you are uninsured and still in need of health coverage for 2019, you have a couple of coverage options. You might be able to get health insurance if you have had a Qualifying…
Signed up for an Obamacare plan on the Marketplace? You are one step closer to accessing high-quality health care. The next step? Finding great doctors or providers in-network for your health plan. If you’re looking for how to find a…
Wondering if it is cheaper to get health insurance through an agent? Here’s what you need to know. It is not cheaper to get health insurance through an agent instead of shopping the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace and comparing prices…
Yes, you will need to re-apply for Medicaid every year. But don’t worry: Doing so is easy. What is Medicaid First, a reminder: Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the federal government and the states to provide health insurance…
There’s a reason the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants you to get a flu shot. During the 2017-1018 flu season alone, the group estimates that 49,000,000 American contracted the flu. And this one flu season resulted in…
Currently enrolled in an Obamacare plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace? Then you already know how great it is to have health insurance coverage that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, has built-in consumer protections. And you also know that,…
Medical bankruptcy: It’s a real reality for too many Americans afraid that one emergency could lead to financial ruin. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) led to major wins in terms of consumer protections when it comes to the quality…
Lawfully present immigrants and U.S. citizens can shop for insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace and purchase an Obamacare health plan. Options for “lawfully present” immigrants According to federal regulations, a “lawfully present” immigrant is someone who…
Options for lawfully present immigrants Lawfully present immigrants, U.S. citizens, and “qualified non-citizens” in the United States are eligible to shop for Obamacare health plans from the Health Insurance Marketplace. This includes green card holders, lawful permanent residents, asylum seekers,…
You may be able to add your parents to your Marketplace plan if they are part of your tax household. Over the age of 26? Then this usually only applies if you can claim your parents on your tax return….
Yes, people with felony convictions can get Affordable Care Act health insurance in the United States. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, people with felony convictions are now eligible to apply for Medicaid health care upon release from prison….
Wondering if international students can get Obamacare while studying in the United States? First, it’s important to familiarize yourself with is your student visa requirements. If you are a J-1 visa holder, the U.S. government will require you to have…
Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance in the U.S.? Unfortunately, undocumented immigrants in the United States have few coverage options. They do not qualify to apply for Affordable Care Act Marketplace health coverage, and are also ineligible to apply for…
Want to buy Marketplace health insurance in another state? As the law exists now, you can only buy health insurance in the state where you maintain your permanent address. Your insurance company may not cover you if you move states…
On your parents’ health insurance? Worried about at what age you’ll get kicked off your parents’ health insurance? Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the landmark Obama administration healthcare law, young adults are now able to stay on their…
Not sure how to log into your HealthCare.gov account? Most simply, you’ll just need the username and password you established when you created your HealthCare.gov account. Can’t remember those? Accounts created after February 2014 will have used your email address…
Need health insurance just for your child? If you have health insurance already, here’s the good news. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, any child of yours can be covered on your health plan up until they turn 26 years…
You can reach HealthCare.gov at 800-318-2596. Many questions you might have can likely also be answered on the HealthCare.gov website, where they have answers to their most frequently asked questions posted online. You can also contact a member of the…
Wondering if you can buy health insurance that is not Obamacare? The answer is yes. But, it’s not as simple as that. There are a very limited number of non-Obamacare health plans offered off the Health Insurance Marketplace. These plans…
Had benefits at a job you are now leaving? You may be worried about a health insurance gap between jobs. But remember that you have the option of COBRA health insurance. COBRA health insurance allows you to continue the health…
Uninsured or unable to afford healthcare for any number of reasons? Fortunately, there are free and low-cost health clinics out there. But thanks to community health centers and free clinics across the country, there is affordable healthcare accessible to you….
What’s a primary care provider (PCP)? One way you can think about them is as the captain of your healthcare ship. In the American healthcare system, they’re the first line of defense. A PCP can help you assess any new…
As a woman, figuring out your healthcare options and understanding the services available to you is a vital part of your preventive care. Thankfully, an important provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that Marketplace plans cover certain preventive services for American women. This includes check-ups and routine screenings,…
For most people, navigating the world of health insurance can be confusing. Especially because there’s all sorts of lingo and jargon we don’t normally encounter in our daily lives. That’s why HealthSherpa put together a quick and easy alphabetized guide…
Prior to the Affordable Care Act, many people went without preventive health coverage. Now that no longer has to be the case. Every health insurance plan must cover a handful of essential health benefits including preventive care. That means, if you sign up for a health insurance plan through the…
At HealthSherpa, it’s our mission to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. As you probably know the Open Enrollment Period—the period when you can buy or change your Marketplace health insurance plan—has passed in…
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, millions of Americans have enrolled in health coverage. However, 27.6 million people across the United States remain uninsured. This means that it’s still crucial to spread the word about the…
These 10 women are doing awesome work in healthcare and related fields, from educating the public to helping change our healthcare systems for the better. Plus, each of them has a thoughtful presence on Twitter! In this post, we’ve highlighted…
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 1,735,350 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 people will die from the disease this year. In 2016, there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors…
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we want to raise awareness about the disease. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S. It’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. after…
Each year, there is an Open Enrollment Period (OEP) when almost all Americans can buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The dates of the Open Enrollment Period change every year. — Before we get started, make sure to…
People have a lot to think about when considering starting a family. For LGBTQ individuals or couples, there are specific challenges they face often. The most common questions that come up are usually based around how third-party reproduction works. Here’s…
The mindfulness movement has gone mainstream over the past few decades. Meditation classes have cropped up in studios, offices, and schools, mindful listening is taught to parents and in workplaces, and mindfulness-based interventions are used in therapy. It’s also become…
When it comes to your overall health, it’s easy to take healthy eyes and vision for granted. With around 76 percent of adults in the U.S. wearing glasses or contacts for vision correction, adopting good eye health habits is essential….
It’s no secret that LGBTQ people face a variety of specific barriers when it comes to healthcare. While there have been some strides in the awareness and healthcare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients, there are still some…
The weather is warm, the days are longer and there’s more time to be outdoors doing all kinds of fun activities! If you find yourself spending a lot of time outside, it’s important to stay safe in the sun now…
Every year, 630,000 people in the United States will die from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions, the…
Each year, more than 10 million women and men in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Experiencing domestic violence is correlated with poorer physical and psychological health,…
My name is Cat Perez, and I’m the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of HealthSherpa, a platform and team of people helping individuals find, enroll in, and use quality, affordable health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Personally, I’ve struggled with…
Nearly 20 percent of the adult U.S. population lives with mental illness, and LGBTQ individuals are nearly three times more likely than others to be in that group. While the stigma surrounding mental disorders and the prejudice against LGBTQ individuals…
Millions of Americans have drug addictions that require treatment, but until recent years, drug rehab and other treatments often resulted in high out-of-pocket costs, making them inaccessible for many. In fact, only approximately 11 percent of the nearly 22 million…
Mental health is defined as a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. To be in prime mental health means being able to work productively, maintain healthy relationships, navigate stress, bounce back from adversity, contribute to society, and realize your…
More than 300 million people around the world suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization, making it one of the most common mental disorders and the leading cause of disability. Given its prevalence, here are some things everyone…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but it’s important to talk about mental health all year round. In large part, this is connected to the societal stigma that has plagued mental illnesses. But this topic is about more than just…
More than 1.7 million people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society. Women have a 37.6% lifetime probability of being diagnosed with cancer, while the number is 39.7%…
Finding a health insurance plan that works best for you can be an overwhelming task. With the number of cancer diagnoses predicted to rise about 70% worldwide over the next couple decades, in addition to rising cancer treatment costs, quality…
With taxing jobs, complicated relationships, unexpected situations, and everyone’s seemingly perfect life on social media, life can sometimes get pretty stressful. While stress can help some people perform under pressure, too much stress can negatively impact your mental and physical…
While sex ed classes cover the dos and don’ts of not getting pregnant, most women don’t get an extensive education on the flip side of fertility. Whether you know you want kids as soon as possible or you can’t escape your…
Each day, more than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired, according to the World Health Organization. But having an STI or an STD (sexually transmitted disease) doesn’t have to ruin your life. Here are 10 things you should…
There are the cute pregnancy announcements and the doting baby showers, but while pregnancy comes with its joys, the thought of actually giving birth can make some women anxious, especially if they’re first-time mothers. Making a plan in advance can…
Congratulations on your pregnancy! In this article, we highlight important tips to keep both you and your baby healthy during this time. We also created a FREE pregnancy checklist to make things a little easier for you. You can print and…
For several decades women have battled and continue to battle for equality — not just educational, societal, and occupational opportunities but for improved and increased access to quality healthcare. Over the past century, the battle to bring women’s healthcare to…
In the past, many health insurance plans did not cover contraceptives for women which often meant going without them. In 2011, President Obama signed the birth control mandate into law as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since the birth control mandate came into effect, the number of…
