Insurance Basics: Home
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 makes it easier for many Americans to get health insurance. It also expands the services that health plans need to cover.
Health insurance protects you from paying the full cost of your care. But, you will likely still have to pay some money out of your pocket. Almost all plans call for “cost sharing”. That means your insurer pays for part of your care, and you pay for part.
After you visit a provider, you may get a bill telling you how much you have to pay.
Since providers are able to decide how much to charge for out-of-network care, sometimes that charge might be higher than you expected.
To look up the estimated costs for behavioral health services (including mental health and alcohol and/or drug services), go to our home page, fairhealthconsumer.org, and click on Medical and Hospital Costs.
If you´re a woman, you have different healthcare needs than men. Women may need access to birth control, or prenatal and maternity care.