The healthcare marketplace, an online platform established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the US, enables individuals and families to compare and purchase health insurance plans. The annual Open Enrollment Period, from November to December, allows enrollment for the upcoming year, with Special Enrollment Periods for qualifying life events.
The healthcare marketplace primarily serves those without access to employer-sponsored insurance or government programs. Plans offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospitalization, preventive care, and prescriptions. Plan types include HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, POS plans, and HDHPs, varying in coverage, premiums, deductibles, and provider networks.
Life insurance options encompass Term, Whole, Universal, Variable, and Indexed Universal policies. These differ in coverage levels and features like cash value and investments. Annuities, offering retirement income, come in Fixed, Variable, Indexed, Immediate, Deferred, and Longevity types, providing various returns and distribution flexibility.
Dental and vision insurance plans cater respectively to dental and eye care needs. Dental options include PPO, HMO, Dental Indemnity, and Dental Discount plans. Vision plans cover eye care and eyewear, standalone or integrated with health insurance.
Mortgage protection insurance covers mortgage-related expenses in case of death, disability, or critical illness, ensuring ongoing mortgage payments or payoff with benefits.