# PlanCost (plancost.com)

> Independent, plain-English guides to comparing US health insurance plans: plan types, metal tiers, ACA Marketplace subsidies, enrollment periods, HSAs, COBRA, small-business options and Medicare. Every guide opens with a direct answer and cites official sources (HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, CMS, IRS, U.S. Department of Labor, HHS/ASPE, KFF).

PlanCost is operated by JAG Development Texas LLC. It is not an insurance company, agent, broker or Marketplace, and is not affiliated with HealthCare.gov, CMS, Medicare or any government agency. Content is general information, not advice. Some pages contain clearly labeled paid referral links. Last reviewed: 2026-10-28. Contact: ej_grenier@hotmail.com.

## Guides
- [HMO vs PPO vs EPO vs POS (and where HDHPs fit): health plan types compared](https://plancost.com/guides/hmo-vs-ppo-vs-epo-vs-pos): What's the difference between HMO, PPO, EPO and POS health plans, and what is an HDHP? A side-by-side comparison of networks, referrals, out-of-network coverage and cost.
- [Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum? Marketplace metal tiers explained](https://plancost.com/guides/metal-tiers-bronze-silver-gold-platinum): How Marketplace metal tiers work: what Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans pay, why Silver matters for cost-sharing reductions, HSA rules, and how to pick a tier.
- [Catastrophic health plans: who qualifies and what they cover](https://plancost.com/guides/catastrophic-health-plans): Catastrophic health insurance explained: eligibility (under 30 or a hardship/affordability exemption), what's covered, HSA compatibility since 2026, and when Bronze or Silver is a better deal.
- [ACA Marketplace basics: how buying your own health insurance works](https://plancost.com/guides/aca-marketplace-basics): A plain-English guide to the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace: who can use it, what every plan covers, how premiums are set, pre-existing conditions, and where to get free help.
- [2027 Open Enrollment: dates, deadlines and what to check](https://plancost.com/guides/open-enrollment-2027): Key dates for 2027 Marketplace Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov: November 1, 2026 start, December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage, January 15, 2027 end, plus a checklist for renewing.
- [Special Enrollment Periods: how to get coverage outside Open Enrollment](https://plancost.com/guides/special-enrollment-periods): Which life events qualify you for a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period, how long you have to act (usually 60 days), what doesn't qualify, and year-round options like Medicaid and CHIP.
- [Premium tax credits for 2027: who qualifies and how Marketplace subsidies work](https://plancost.com/guides/premium-tax-credits): How the ACA premium tax credit works for 2027 coverage: the 100%–400% FPL income range, the benchmark Silver plan, required contribution percentages, the end of enhanced credits, and repaying advance credits.
- [How to compare health plans by total yearly cost](https://plancost.com/guides/compare-total-cost): A step-by-step method for comparing health insurance plans on total annual cost: premiums, deductible, coinsurance, copays and the out-of-pocket maximum, with a low-use and worst-case check.
- [HDHPs and Health Savings Accounts: 2027 limits and how they work](https://plancost.com/guides/hdhp-and-hsa): How high-deductible health plans and Health Savings Accounts work: 2027 IRS HSA limits ($4,500 self / $9,000 family), HDHP requirements, the 2026 Bronze/Catastrophic change, eligibility and tax benefits.
- [Medicare basics: Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D](https://plancost.com/guides/medicare-basics): A plain-English comparison of Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap supplement policies and Part D drug coverage, with the key trade-offs and where to get free help.
- [Medicare enrollment periods: when you can sign up or switch](https://plancost.com/guides/medicare-enrollment-periods): Every Medicare enrollment window in one place: the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, the 8-month Part B Special Enrollment Period, Open Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7), the Medicare Advantage OEP (Jan 1–Mar 31) and the Medigap window.
- [Short-term health plans: what they are, current rules and the risks](https://plancost.com/guides/short-term-health-plans): What short-term, limited-duration health insurance covers and doesn't, the 2024 federal duration limits and the 2025 non-enforcement statement, state rules, and how it compares with ACA plans.
- [Health insurance for the self-employed and small businesses](https://plancost.com/guides/self-employed-small-business-health-insurance): Options for freelancers, sole proprietors and small employers: Marketplace plans and the self-employed health insurance deduction, SHOP group coverage, CHOICE Arrangements (formerly ICHRAs) and QSEHRAs.
- [COBRA vs a Marketplace plan after you lose job-based coverage](https://plancost.com/guides/cobra-vs-marketplace): Compare COBRA continuation coverage with an ACA Marketplace plan after leaving a job: cost (up to 102% of the plan premium), how long COBRA lasts, deductibles, premium tax credits and enrollment deadlines.
- [Dental and vision coverage basics: what's covered and how to compare](https://plancost.com/guides/dental-and-vision-coverage): How dental and vision coverage works: children's dental and vision in Marketplace plans, why adult dental is optional, stand-alone dental plans and waiting periods, discount plans, and what Medicare does and doesn't cover.

## Tools
- [Health plan total yearly cost calculator](https://plancost.com/tools/health-plan-cost-calculator): Compare up to three plans by premiums after tax credits, deductible, coinsurance, copays and out-of-pocket maximum; runs in the browser.
- [Ways to compare real quotes](https://plancost.com/get-quotes): Official Marketplaces, free assisters, Medicare Plan Finder, SHIP and licensed partners.

## Key facts (verified against official sources on 2026-10-28)
- 2027 Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov: Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027; enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage. State Marketplaces may differ.
- 2027 premium tax credits: household income 100%-400% FPL (about $15,960-$63,840 for one person; $33,000-$132,000 for four, using 2026 guidelines). Enhanced credits expired after 2025; repayment caps removed starting tax year 2026.
- 2027 HSA limits (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24): $4,500 self-only, $9,000 family, $1,000 catch-up at 55+. HDHP minimum deductible $1,750/$3,500; out-of-pocket max $8,700/$17,400. Exchange-available Bronze and Catastrophic plans are HSA-compatible from 2026.
- Medicare: 7-month Initial Enrollment Period; Open Enrollment Oct 15-Dec 7; Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Jan 1-Mar 31; Medigap Open Enrollment is 6 months from the first month you are 65+ with Part B.
- COBRA: generally up to 18 months at up to 102% of plan cost; losing job-based coverage gives a 60-day Marketplace Special Enrollment Period.

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