How the Algorithm Works (In Plain English)
When you answer the questions in our 60-second quiz, you aren't chatting with a salesperson. You are talking to a deterministic ranking engine. Here is exactly how we decide what to recommend to you:
Step 1: The Medicaid Check
The very first thing our engine does is check your income against the Federal Poverty Level guidelines for your state. If you qualify for free or nearly-free Medicaid/CHIP, we instantly stop the search. That is your Best Fit. Why? Because free healthcare always beats paying a monthly premium.
Step 2: The ACA Subsidy Calculation
If you don't qualify for Medicaid, our engine calculates your estimated Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). We look at your life events (like losing a job or turning 26) to see if you have a Special Enrollment Period. If you do, and you get a subsidy, we push Marketplace plans to the top of your list.
Step 3: Network & Urgency
Finally, we analyze your urgency. If you missed Open Enrollment and do not have a qualifying life event, our engine knows you cannot legally buy ACA insurance. Only then will we recommend Short-Term Health Insurance or Alternative health sharing programs as a temporary "Good Backup" to prevent you from being entirely uninsured.
The Final Rule: The engine is entirely blind to referral payouts. We rank the programs strictly by lowest theoretical out-of-pocket cost for your specific situation.