It’s open-enrollment season, and if you’re sorting through health insurance options, you’re not alone. In this episode, John sits down with insurance expert Julie Davidson to walk through what ranch families need to know before choosing a Marketplace plan, from how subsidies actually work to what those deductibles and out-of-pocket numbers really mean.

Julie breaks down why your modified adjusted gross income is the key number that drives your subsidy, why calling to enroll is almost always better than doing it online, and what to watch for if you’re choosing between work-provided coverage and Marketplace options. John and Julie also talk through real-world considerations like prescription costs, family deductibles, HSA-eligible plans, and why Medicaid isn’t always the safety net folks assume it is.

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In this episode, we cover:

• How open enrollment works and why your modified adjusted gross income drives your subsidy
• The pros and cons of Marketplace options vs. employer plans, and when to call instead of enrolling online
• How to think about deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, HSAs, and choosing the right level of coverage
• What to watch for with prescription costs, plus tools like GoodRx
• Why insurance should be viewed as risk protection, not a prepaid health plan
• How to avoid surprise bills and tax-time subsidies gone wrong

• Send her an email at [email protected]

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• GoodRx
• Healthpilot
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• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

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