Research & Insights
Rigorous, data-driven analysis of the American health insurance landscape. Every article is grounded in federal data, built on actuarial methodology, and written to help you make better coverage decisions.
Our Research Methodology
Every recommendation we publish meets the same evidentiary standard used by federal agencies and academic researchers.
Federal Data Foundation
Every recommendation is grounded in MEPS, CMS, and IRS datasets — the same sources used by federal actuaries and policy researchers.
Evidence-Based Analysis
Our optimizer uses actuarial modeling and Monte Carlo simulation to project total cost distributions, not single-point estimates.
Peer Review Standard
All published research is reviewed by healthcare policy experts and cross-referenced against primary source data before publication.
Continuous Updates
Articles are revised with each new federal data release to ensure every figure and recommendation reflects the latest available information.
All Publications
Browse our library of evidence-based insurance research and guidance.
Sources We Trust
Our analysis draws exclusively from authoritative federal datasets and evidence-based review bodies.
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
The most complete source of data on healthcare costs, utilization, and insurance coverage for the U.S. civilian population.
Powers our cost projections and utilization modeling.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Federal data on plan benefits, formularies, provider networks, and enrollment for Medicare and marketplace plans.
Provides the plan-level detail behind every recommendation.
Internal Revenue Service
HSA/FSA contribution limits, premium tax credit thresholds, and tax advantage calculations updated annually.
Ensures tax optimization advice is current and accurate.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Evidence-based recommendations on preventive services that ACA plans must cover at no cost-sharing.
Informs our preventive care value analysis.
Put the research to work
Our optimizer applies the same data and methodology behind these articles to your specific situation -- finding the plan that actually minimizes your total healthcare costs.
Try the optimizer →