Health Insurance Workbook: Compare Plans and Maximize Your Benefits

Knowing what a deductible is and knowing how to compare two real plans side-by-side are very different skills. This course closes that gap with structured worksheets, decision trees, and worked examples drawn from realistic plan scenarios. You will work through each exercise using your own numbers wherever possible. By the end of this course you will be able to calculate the total annual cost of any health plan under different healthcare-use scenarios, use a decision matrix to choose between competing options, set up and manage an HSA contribution strategy, and build a personal benefits calendar so you never miss a deadline or leave money on the table. What you will learn: - How to pull the five numbers that matter most from any Summary of Benefits document - A break-even analysis worksheet that compares a low-premium versus high-deductible plan - How to estimate your annual healthcare spend and map it to plan cost-sharing tiers - A step-by-step checklist for verifying that your preferred doctors are in-network before enrolling - How to set up automatic HSA contributions and project tax savings over time - A calendar template for open enrollment season, FSA grace periods, and balance rollover deadlines - How to file an appeal when a claim is denied — with a template letter - A post-enrollment review checklist to confirm your ID cards, EOB statements, and network access The course follows a workbook format. Each module presents a short explanatory reading followed by a worksheet you complete — either with hypothetical data provided in the exercise or with your own plan documents. By the final module you will have built a personal health insurance reference file you can update each year during open enrollment. This course is suitable for anyone who wants practical tools rather than theory — employees choosing between employer plans, freelancers shopping a marketplace, or partners coordinating dual-income coverage decisions. No prior insurance expertise is needed. This course is educational and does not constitute licensed insurance advice; consult a qualified insurance professional for guidance specific to your health situation and location.