The out-of-pocket maximum is the total amount you are required to spend for medical care in a year. This usually includes the total amount spent on your deductible, coinsurance and/or co-pays; but not the premium and in some cases, not...

A co-pay is the flat fee you have to pay for a service, such as a doctor’s visit or a prescription. If you have a $15 co-pay, you will pay $15 for a doctor’s visit.

The amount of cost sharing between you and your insurance company. If you have a 80%/20% co-insurance, this means that when you receive care, the insurance company pays 80% of the cost and you pay the other 20%.

A deductible is the amount you pay for care before your insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you will pay $1,000 before your insurance covers health care costs. There can be another deductible for a...

A premium is the amount you pay, typically per month, to maintain your insurance. If you have a $200 premium, you will pay $200 a month to have health insurance.

Schools that mandate insurance coverage often require proof of comparable insurance to waive school coverage. If you’re on a non-school plan, waive your school coverage in time to avoid the charge.

If you have a medical condition before getting insurance, insurers may not cover your pre-existing condition for a period of time—or at all.  In 2014 insurers won’t be able to deny coverage due to these conditions.

Many plans only cover care up to a certain amount. Under the new law, insurers can no longer cap how much they pay for care over your lifetime; annual dollar limits on coverage are phased out by 2014.

A healthy young adult should look for a plan that covers preventive/primary care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, ER visits, and reproductive health needs.  Be careful about catastrophic plans that only cover the worst cases: if you have a health condition, you...

Visit www.dol.gov/ebsa, or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272) to contact the U.S. Department of Labor Visit www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm to find your State Insurance Department www.healthcare.gov provides links to state consumer assistance programs and other resources Email Questions@YoungInvincibles.org if you need any further help.