[Skip to main content](#main-content)
Health insurance plans
======================
Health plans for life's moments
-------------------------------
Our plans are made to deliver what matters, from quality coverage to caring support. Find a plan option that works for you.
[Shop for a plan](/shop-online-health-insurance-plans)
[Get help choosing](/insurance-plan-finder)
Shop plans for every stage of life
----------------------------------
[Medicare](https://www.uhc.com/medicare?WT.mc_id=8031053)
[Medicaid](https://www.uhc.com/communityplan?WT.mc_id=8036522)
[Individual & family](/individuals-families)
[Employers](/employer)
Already a member?
-----------------
[Sign in to your account](/sign-in) to view your plan benefits.
### Try the UnitedHealthcare app
Members can get instant access to manage health plan details, request member ID cards, find care and more.
[Learn more about the app for members](/member-resources/health-care-tools/unitedhealthcare-app)
[Open the app](https://unitedhealthcare.app.link/viXCFRARhFb)
### When to go to the ER vs. urgent care
Need medical care, but not sure where to go? View examples of what’s typically treated at urgent care and the ER.Â
[Get guidance on where to go for care](/member-resources/where-to-go-for-medical-care)
ADVERTISEMENT
[](https://www.optum.com/en/pharmacy-services/medication-delivery.html?cid=uhc_display_top_1)
UnitedHealthcare does not endorse companies or products.
[Advertising policy](/legal/advertising-policy)
All types of plans for all types of people
------------------------------------------
### [Health insurance plans](/individuals-families)
Explore a range of individual and family plan options, including ACA Marketplace plans.
### [Medicare plans](https://www.uhc.com/medicare?WT.mc_id=8031053)
Find coverage that goes beyond Original Medicare, including Medicare Advantage plans.
### [Medicaid plans](https://www.uhc.com/communityplan?WT.mc_id=8036522)
See Medicaid plan options if you have low income or qualify due to a special circumstance.
### [Dental, vision and supplemental plans](/dental-vision-supplemental-plans)
Browse plans that can help you get coverage for medical costs not covered by your medical plan.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance
-------------------------------------------------
### What is health insurance?
Health insurance is a plan, or policy, that covers a percentage of doctors’ visits and hospital bills. It helps offset the costs of both planned and unplanned medical needs. Medical care can be expensive, but health insurance may help lessen the financial burden.
And health insurance isn’t just for when you’re sick or injured. It can also help you stay healthy through preventive care and wellness programs. This may help you save money, too, by catching potential health concerns before they become larger issues.
### How does health insurance work?
Health insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company (the insurer). When you purchase a plan, you become a member of that plan. Each month, you’ll likely pay a fee, called a premium, to use the plan.
There are many different types of health plans, but they generally work the same way. You pay for some medical costs and your insurer pays for some costs. How those costs break out depend on your specific plan benefits and coverage.
[Learn more about how health insurance works](/understanding-health-insurance/how-does-health-insurance-work)
### How do I get health insurance?
Finding the right health insurance plan depends on a variety of factors. These include things like your age, health and financial situation. For example, if you’re over 65 or have a qualifying disability or special situation, you may be eligible for [Medicare](https://www.uhc.com/medicare?WT.mc_id=8031053). If you have a lower income, you may qualify for [Medicaid](https://www.uhc.com/communityplan?WT.mc_id=8036522). If you want to purchase an individual plan, an [Affordable Care Act (ACA)](https://www.uhc.com/individuals-families/aca-marketplace?WT.mc_id=8031053) plan could be an option. Or, you may have the option to get [health insurance through your employer](/individuals-families/health-plans-through-work).
Most health insurance plans have a special period of time, usually once a year, when you can enroll. This is called open enrollment. It’s when you can start, stop or change your health plan. Timing of open enrollment varies based on the plan.
[Learn more about open enrollment](/understanding-health-insurance/open-enrollment)
### What are the different types of health insurance?
There are a variety of health insurance plans that fit different needs. Some plans are offered through the government, like [Affordable Care Act (ACA)](https://www.uhc.com/individuals-families/aca-marketplace?WT.mc_id=8031053) plans, [Medicare](https://www.uhc.com/medicare?WT.mc_id=8031053) plans and [Medicaid](https://www.uhc.com/communityplan?WT.mc_id=8036522) plans. There are also health plans you can get through your employer. Or, you can purchase a plan on your own, like [short term health insurance](/individuals-families/short-term-health-insurance) that offers coverage for a limited amount of time. Understanding the different health insurance options can help you find the plan that may work best for you.
You may also see terms like HMO, PPO, EPO and POS — these refer to the four basic kinds of provider networks that certain health plans may offer. A network may include doctors, hospitals and other providers that agree to provide services to plan members at a negotiated rate. This may help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
[Learn more about the different types of health insurance](/understanding-health-insurance/types-of-health-insurance)
### How much does health insurance cost?
It depends. A variety of factors impact how much you pay. These can include your age, your location and lifestyle habits. It also depends on the type of plan you choose. With some plans, you may pay less up front, but more when you receive care. For other plans, the opposite can be true.
[Learn more about health insurance costs](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-health-insurance-costs)
### What does health insurance cover?
Coverage is unique to each health plan. Many plans may cover things like preventive care, prescription drugs, hospital stays, mental health services and more. A plan may cover the full cost of certain services, or you may have to share costs (by paying a copay or coinsurance, for example) until you meet a deductible or out-of-pocket limit.
Make sure to review benefits and coverage before choosing a plan. You can find this information in the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage. This is a document that all health plan companies are required to provide. It outlines what’s covered, partially covered or not covered under a health plan.
[Learn how to review a Summary of Benefits and Coverage](/understanding-health-insurance/how-does-health-insurance-work/summary-of-benefits-and-coverage)
[Learn more about health insurance](/understanding-health-insurance)
[Answers to our members' questions about UnitedHealthcare](/news-articles/newsroom/a-message-to-our-members)
Working to make the health care experience better
-------------------------------------------------
When it comes to your health, everything matters. At UnitedHealthcare, we’re focused on offering solutions and support designed for all the moments that matter, big and small.
### Simpler experience
Get the answers you need to use and understand your benefits with ease.
### Quality supported care
Count on personal support and access to quality care that’s focused on helping you live healthier at every step.
### Affordable coverage
Explore coverage options made to help fit all kinds of budgets at all stages in life.
Latest news and articles
------------------------
Video
[Being there: Navigating health costs](/news-articles/benefits-and-coverage/darrens-story)
[Benefits & coverage](/news-articles/benefits-and-coverage)
[What is metabolic syndrome?](/news-articles/healthy-living/metabolic-syndrome)
[Healthy living](/news-articles/healthy-living)
[Optimizing menstrual health: the role of diet & exercise](/news-articles/healthy-living/diet-exercise-menstrual-health)
[Healthy living](/news-articles/healthy-living)
[View more articles](/news-articles)
ADVERTISEMENT
[](https://www.optum.com/en/pharmacy-services/medication-delivery.html?cid=uhc_display_bt_4)
UnitedHealthcare does not endorse companies or products.
[Advertising policy](/legal/advertising-policy)