One way to get health coverage is through government programs like Medicare and Medical Assistance (MA). You can also get private health coverage, which is health coverage offered by private insurance companies.

Private health coverage pays for a portion of your medical costs when you see a doctor or other healthcare provider, or go to the pharmacy. You can get private employer-sponsored group health coverage through your job or an association, or you can also buy private individual health coverage on your own.

With private health coverage, you pay a company a certain amount of money to be part of its plan. This payment is called a premium. If your employer offers group health coverage, they may pay for some, or all, of your premium. Unions and other professional organizations may also offer group health coverage and contribute to premium payments. If you buy individual coverage, you pay the entire premium.

Every health coverage plan will have a different way of organizing costs and will cover different sets of services. Some plans cost less but limit your choice of doctors, or keep their costs down in other ways. Other types cost more money, but let you choose which doctor to go to, or have other benefits. All plans will help with your medical costs if the premium is paid and if you follow the plan’s rules.

Private health coverage in Minnesota is regulated by a combination of state and federal laws. These laws offer protections for you when you are buying or switching health coverage. Which laws apply depend on a number of factors specific to your situation.

Note:The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 will lead to significant changes in our nation’s health care system. The law will take effect over several years, and many of the details are still unknown.

DB101 will continue to keep track of health care changes and update our website as needed. To learn more about the details of health care reform, you can visit healthcare.gov.