The gist

• You have a lot of options when it comes to shopping for health insurance. It can become difficult to make heads or tails of your options when jumping between open tabs or receiving offers from different brokerages.

• Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there are more plans available than ever.

• Visiting a doctor or hospital while uninsured can lead to costly bills that might add up over time.

In this article

• Why do I need health insurance?

• I’ve never had my own health insurance plan — how do I enroll?

• How to apply for health insurance through Stride

• What other kinds of insurance can I get through Stride?

Shopping for health insurance is complicated. Premiums, deductibles, subsidies, exchanges — just reading about it can feel like a stock market report. But don’t nod off, we need to talk about health insurance. Despite the ACA passing more than ten years ago, some 27.4 million people still lack health insurance, according to Forbes. 

If you are part of the 8.3 percent of American adults without health insurance, we have good news: It doesn’t have to be this way. Because of the ACA, it’s possible to get coverage for a monthly premium of $1 or less. Depending on your ZIP code and income level, you might qualify for one of these subsidized plans. 

First-time health plan shopper? Recently out of work and looking for an affordable plan? Just want to shop around to see if there’s something better out there? We’ve got your back. No matter what brings you here, keep reading to learn more about how to get covered.

Why do I need health insurance?

Health insurance is, in its simplest form, a contract that you buy into via monthly payments that help pay for the cost of health care. Your policy, also known as a “plan,” might also give you other benefits, including app-based services, discounts on medical equipment, and more. 

While a hospital has a duty to grant every person a certain level of care, they are allowed to deny access to specific services or charge you the full price for your procedure or treatment. An overnight stay in the hospital can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and that doesn’t include your bills for therapy or aftercare.

Even if you feel healthy today, that small monthly premium can save you big money if something unexpected happens. This peace of mind can grant you a lot of freedom — especially if you’re thinking about starting your own business or working as an independent contractor. 

I’ve never had my own health insurance plan — how do I enroll?

As you may have noticed, there are a pretty broad range of premiums offered by different insurance companies. This differs from employer-provided insurance, which is usually more inexpensive because your employer pays for some or all of your coverage. That said, there are affordable options out there — don’t forget, ACA stands for “Affordable Care Act!”

Typically, you can only enroll in health insurance during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which usually runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 in most states. Open enrollment periods for employer-provided plans may differ. 

You may also be eligible for what’s called a Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to enroll in a new plan or modify an existing policy if you have a qualifying life event. Some qualifying life events that would grant you a Special Enrollment Period are:

• A death in the household

• Getting married or divorced

• New additions to the family by birth or adoption

• Moving to a new ZIP code

• Losing existing health insurance

• Losing your job

• Changes in income that impact your eligibility for certain plans like Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP

If you have a qualifying life event, don’t wait! You have a 60-day window to enroll in new coverage.

How to apply for health insurance through Stride

Stride is not an insurance provider. We’re a brokerage. Back in your parents (or your parent’s parents) day, that might’ve been someone wearing suspenders in a room filled with printouts locking you into the day’s best rates. Nowadays, a health insurance brokerage is any third-party company that helps you shop for and enroll in coverage. 

We’re a partner of HealthCare.gov, which means we offer all the same plans at the same low prices. The difference? We have a customizable shopping tool that makes it simple to find the best plan for your unique needs and budget. Here are step-by-step instructions about how to shop and apply for health insurance through Stride. If anything still seems unclear, please visit our frequently asked questions or chat with one of our insurance experts. 

Step 1: Provide basic information.

First, you’ll tell us a little bit about yourself, including your:

• ZIP code

• If you are purchasing insurance for yourself or for your household

• Date of birth

• Sex

• Whether or not you are a tobacco user

• If you have a preferred provider — this is important because we can use this to recommend plans that have your provider in-network.

Then we’ll collect some more granular health information — don’t worry, your data will not be sold for marketing purposes. This step is simply so we can find the best plans and estimate your annual health care spending needs. 

At this point, you’ll be asked to share:

• Any prescriptions you use

• Any pre-existing conditions you have

Step 2: See your potential savings.

Then the fun part starts: The savings! Everyone’s looking to save money nowadays, and if you’re shopping for new insurance, Stride will help you find the most affordable options possible by searching for subsidies that lower the cost of your coverage. 

Click “Find my savings” and answer a few more questions about: 

• The number of people on your tax return

• Your annual income

You’ll instantly see an estimate of your savings and monthly premiums!

If you’re the easily distracted or indecisive type, this might be a good spot to stop and save your work. Create an account, and you’ll be able to pick up where you left off. 

Step 3: See your recommended plans.

By default, you’ll see your top three recommended plans. The top plan is your best fit. To learn more about the plans and why they’re a good fit for you, click “Details” under each one. 

Step 4: Compare plans.

The last step before you apply is to compare plans. Click the “Compare” button under any plan, and you’ll be presented with the option to select any other plan and click “View Comparison.”

You’ll see an easy-to-understand page that shows the two plans side-by-side, including:

• Monthly premium

• Deductible

• Maximum out-of-pocket

• Estimated usage

• If your preferred provider is in-network

• Pre-deductible and post-deductible payments for doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, surgery and treatment, emergency care, pregnancy, and out-of-network coverage. 

Next step, well … there isn’t a next step. Select your plan and we’ll walk you through your application. And that’s it! You’ll be notified when your coverage begins. Even if you haven’t received physical copies of your insurance cards, there may be a virtual card available via email, PDF, or app that will allow you to use your health insurance benefits. 

What other kinds of insurance can I get through Stride?

Since you’ve already got your health profile set up, stick around (or click around) for a while. With Stride, you can also sign up for:

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Life insurance

• Accident insurance

• Disability insurance

Additionally, you’ll get access to:

• Prescription discounts

• Local deals and discounts

• The free Stride app, a one-stop shop to simplify the challenges of independence, including insurance, taxes, and more