How this tool chooses and compares plans

Everything on this page is the actual method the tool runs, not a summary of it. When a number here changes, the tool's behavior changes with it.

Where the numbers come from

Every price, savings estimate, deductible, and yearly total comes from the federal Marketplace data service run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the same source behind HealthCare.gov. This tool never computes a subsidy itself. Savings figures are estimates based on the information you enter; only the Health Insurance Marketplace can determine what you qualify for.

Which plans you see

Your results page shows a subset of your county's plans: the twelve with the lowest estimated yearly total for your household, plus the lowest-cost Gold plan if it isn't already among them. They're displayed in order of monthly price after estimated savings, lowest first. Every plan available to you is on HealthCare.gov.

The yearly total

The number the tool compares plans by is the estimated yearly total: your monthly premium after estimated savings, times twelve, plus the Marketplace's own estimate of your out-of-pocket care costs for the usage level you chose. The cheapest monthly price often isn't the cheapest year. This metric is how the tool keeps that honest.

How the renew-or-switch suggestion works

When you've told us your current plan, the tool weighs renewing it against the alternatives on your results page. The rules run in order, and the first one that applies wins:

1. Your plan is ending. If your plan isn't offered next year, the tool points out the closest match (same metal level, same insurer where possible, lowest yearly total among those) and the lowest-cost option overall.
2. Possible Medicaid. If your income estimate suggests your household may qualify for Medicaid, the tool makes no plan suggestion at all and points you to Jax instead.
3. Your extra savings only work on Silver. If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions but renewing lands you off Silver, the tool shows the best-value Silver plan and the dollar difference.
4. Worth considering a switch. If the best alternative beats renewing by more than 10% of the yearly total, the tool says so, with the dollar amount and the tradeoff.
5. Worth a look, but close. Between 5% and 10%, the tool names the alternative but says plainly that renewing is also reasonable.
6. Renewing looks reasonable. Anything closer than 5%, and the suggestion is that renewing holds up, with the yearly figure.

Every suggestion states its reasoning and a dollar figure inline. These are only suggestions. You have the final say, and Jax reviews everything with you before anything changes.

What never influences the results

Plan ordering and suggestions are never influenced by commissions, carrier relationships, or any compensation to Bentley Health Advisors. The selection and ordering rules above are pure functions of price and coverage data.