Can I keep my doctor with private PPO health insurance?

Yes. We verify your doctors are in-network before you enroll. Our licensed advisors only recommend health insurance plans that include your providers when available.

What is a private PPO health insurance plan?

Private PPO plans are off-exchange health insurance options available only through licensed agents like RKA. They often include broader nationwide networks and different cost structures than marketplace plans.

Do I qualify for health insurance savings?

Many households qualify for income-based premium tax credits on marketplace health insurance plans. Our licensed advisors estimate your monthly contribution and compare marketplace vs private PPO options.

When can I enroll in health insurance?

Private PPO health insurance plans are available year-round. Marketplace plans have Open Enrollment periods and Special Enrollment windows. Speak to one of our licensed advisors to verify what you're eligible for.

Robert Adams 10/19/21 Robert Adams 10/19/21

Open Enrollment & Your Plan Options

Open enrollment explained — metal tiers, networks, subsidies, and the private options most brokers skip.

Open Enrollment • Basics

Open Enrollment & Your Plan Options, Explained

📅 Looking for this year's exact dates? See our 2027 Open Enrollment Dates guide →

Fast take: Open enrollment is the once-a-year window to sign up for or change health coverage. It opens November 1 and runs into mid-January in most states — enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start. But the Marketplace isn't your only option: the right plan depends on your income, health, lifestyle, and work. Here's how the choices actually compare.

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Open enrollment is the period each year when you can sign up for health insurance or change your current coverage. In most states it opens November 1 and runs through mid-January for individual and family plans. Enroll by December 15 and coverage typically starts January 1; enroll after that (through the deadline) and coverage usually starts February 1. Some states run their own window on different dates — check with one of our benefit specialists for your state, or see the current-year guide linked above.

Marketplace metal tiers

Bronze — lowest monthly cost, but higher deductibles and more out-of-pocket expense.
Silver — middle-of-the-road; balances coverage and cost (and unlocks extra savings if you qualify).
Gold — higher premium, stronger cost-sharing, lower deductibles and out-of-pocket exposure.
Platinum — rare and only in a few counties; highest premium, lowest deductibles.

Networks: why the type matters

Most Marketplace options are HMO or EPO networks — limited to a local service area, covering you outside it only for emergencies. PPO networks are available in select areas and offer nationwide access to providers without referrals. If you travel, split time between states, or want freedom to see specialists directly, network type matters as much as price.

Subsidies (premium tax credits)

If your income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your Marketplace cost — sometimes dramatically. The exact income cutoffs change each year, and earning over the top of the range means you pay full price (the "subsidy cliff"). We calculate your current-year subsidy and show your true net cost. More on the subsidy cliff →

Options beyond the Marketplace

Our specialty — private nationwide PPO. If subsidies aren't available to you (or you want a broader network), a private, medically-underwritten PPO often delivers lower out-of-pocket costs and lower deductibles than the Marketplace, with coast-to-coast provider access and no referrals. Some options are guaranteed renewable to age 65. It's the option only a limited number of agents offer — and where we shine. (Underwriting required — you'll need to be relatively healthy to qualify.)

Other options we can compare

Short-term medical — often the most affordable; coverage for roughly 30 days up to (with some insurers) 12 months. More limited than major medical.
Fixed indemnity — supplemental coverage that pays set cash benefits toward specific costs; a layer of protection on top of a plan, not a replacement.
Healthcare sharing — members share medical costs via a monthly share amount; not insurance, with its own rules and limits.

Don't assume your current plan is still the best

Before you renew, talk to a benefits specialist — we'll compare Marketplace and private options, verify your doctors, and make sure you're not overpaying.

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Frequently asked questions

When exactly can I enroll?

Open enrollment opens November 1 and runs into mid-January in most states; some state marketplaces differ. See the current-year guide for exact dates, or ask us about your state.

Is the Marketplace my only choice?

No. Depending on your income and health, a private nationwide PPO or a supplemental option may be a better fit. We compare all of them for you.

How do I know I'm not overpaying?

We price your real annual cost — premium, deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket max — across every option and verify your doctors before you enroll.

For education only; eligibility, benefits, and availability vary by carrier and state. Always review official plan documents. Private plans are medically underwritten — not all applicants qualify. RKA Insurance Advisors is an independent, licensed health insurance brokerage (NPN 19540130). We do not offer Medicare. Call (561) 806-9913.