Insurance Questions? We Have Straight Answers.
Insurance is confusing — and that's by design. We're changing that. Here are honest, plain-English answers to the questions our clients ask most.
The questions people ask before browsing the directory.
Health insurance shopping comes with its own vocabulary - Marketplace, subsidy, SHOP, ICHRA. Here are clear answers about how the full directory works.
Yes. Plan Finder Hubs is built as a directory, not a quiz. Enter your ZIP code and you'll see every available plan in your area - ACA marketplace, off-exchange, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and small-business group options - displayed together so you can compare them yourself before you decide.
You can see everything. We don't narrow the options down to one or two picks first. Every carrier and plan tier that serves your area is shown in the directory, and you can filter or sort it however you like.
If your household income falls between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly cost. Under recent legislation, subsidy eligibility has expanded, and some households earning above 400% FPL may qualify for partial assistance too. The directory shows estimated subsidy eligibility alongside each plan so you can compare real costs, not just sticker prices.
Medicaid generally covers very low-income households with $0 or minimal premiums and cost-sharing, while subsidized Marketplace plans serve a broader income range with tax credits that reduce monthly premiums. Eligibility rules vary by state. The directory shows which programs you may qualify for based on your ZIP code and household income so you can compare them side by side.
It depends on status. Lawfully present immigrants are generally eligible for ACA marketplace plans and, in some states, additional programs. Children can often qualify for state child health programs regardless of immigration status. Coverage rules vary by state, so the directory shows what's actually available where you live, for every member of your household, before you choose anything.
Requirements vary by state and business size. Businesses that choose to offer coverage typically gain access to the SHOP Marketplace, off-exchange small-group plans, and ICHRA arrangements that let employers reimburse employees for individual coverage tax-free. The small-business directory lets you browse group options for 2 to 200 employees and compare carriers before committing.
For 2026 coverage, the federal Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 in most states (some states set a longer window). Coverage starting January 1 generally requires enrollment by December 15. Medicaid and child health programs enroll year-round with no deadline. Special Enrollment Periods open after qualifying life events like losing job-based coverage, moving, marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
Networks vary by carrier and by region. The directory lets you browse plans side by side and check whether your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are in-network before you enroll, so you don't lose coverage for providers you already trust.
Child Health Plus and similar state programs provide coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid but may not be able to afford private coverage alone. Many programs have no strict income ceiling, with monthly contributions sliding based on household income, and cover checkups, immunizations, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health. Coverage is often available regardless of a child's immigration status. The directory shows which programs apply in your state.
No. Plan Finder Hubs is compensated by carriers when someone enrolls, the same way most licensed insurance brokers are paid. Browsing the directory is free, and you pay the same premium you'd pay enrolling directly with a carrier or the marketplace. If you want help understanding a plan, support is available in multiple languages at no charge.