Health insurance research & editorial
Our editorial team researches US health insurance using primary sources — HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, the IRS, CMS, and KFF — to explain coverage in plain English. We are not licensed insurance agents and do not sell insurance.
Medicare
A plain-English guide to Medicare Part B in 2026: what it covers, the standard premium and deductible, income-based IRMAA surcharges, and how to enroll on time.
Aug 10, 2026 · 9 min read
Medicare
How Medicare's Initial, Special, and General Enrollment Periods work, plus how the permanent Part B and Part D late-enrollment penalties are calculated.
Aug 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Medicare
How the four Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI) and Extra Help lower Medicare costs in 2026, who qualifies, what each pays, and how to apply.
Aug 7, 2026 · 8 min read
ACA & Marketplace
ACA metal tiers explained: how actuarial value works, the premium-versus-out-of-pocket trade-off, and why the cheapest premium is rarely the cheapest plan.
Aug 6, 2026 · 9 min read
ACA & Marketplace
How the ACA premium tax credit works in 2026: the benchmark Silver plan, your expected contribution, FPL income bands, Form 8962, and what changed this year.
Aug 5, 2026 · 9 min read
ACA & Marketplace
Cost-sharing reductions can make a Silver plan beat Gold. Learn the CSR 73/87/94 variants, who qualifies up to 250% FPL, and why you must pick Silver to get it.
Aug 4, 2026 · 8 min read
ACA & Marketplace
Catastrophic plans offer the lowest ACA premiums but only for people under 30 or with an exemption. Here is how they work in 2026 and who they suit.
Aug 3, 2026 · 9 min read
Medicare
Medicare Part D in 2026 brings a hard $2,100 out-of-pocket cap, a $615 deductible, three simplified benefit phases, and a new way to spread drug costs.
Aug 2, 2026 · 10 min read
Self-Employed & Business
You have ruled out a group plan and picked an HRA. Now you have to actually operate one — plan document, employee classes, the 90-day notice, substantiation, affordability math, and payroll. Here is the build, in the order you have to do it.
Aug 2, 2026 · 11 min read
Self-Employed & Business
Platform gig work is not freelancing with a phone. Here is what Uber's and DoorDash's injury cover actually pays for, which states hand app-based drivers real health dollars, how 1099-NEC and 1099-K differ in 2026, and how to keep a Marketplace subsidy accurate when your earnings move every week.
Aug 1, 2026 · 11 min read
Self-Employed & Business
Self-employed and paying your own premiums? Learn who qualifies for the self-employed health insurance deduction in 2026, what counts, the income cap, and how to claim it on Form 7206.
Jul 31, 2026 · 9 min read
ACA & Marketplace
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired for 2026. Realistic, honest ways to cut costs—subsidy accuracy, plan-tier fit, HSAs, and life-event timing.
Jul 30, 2026 · 10 min read