Why Do Obamacare Premiums Differ So Much?

Millions of Americans are looking at their options under Obamacare's health-insurance exchanges. But in looking at the policies available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many of them are confused to see plans at the same level of coverage charging hugely different premium amounts.

In the following video, host Alison Southwick interviews Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool's director of investment planning, to find out what's going on with the different amounts that prospective customers face in obtaining insurance under Obamacare. Dan points out that in some cases, plan insurance premiums can cost double what similar plans at the same coverage level charge. In some cases, policies are aimed at people with different risks, and therefore insurance companies have to charge different amounts to cover those risks. Yet choices about premiums also depend on the willingness of companies to take on the risk of Obamacare. WellPoint has been aggressive in getting into the health-care exchange business. UnitedHealth Group , on the other hand, has been slower to adopt the exchange marketplaces. That can result in different choices in policy charges as well.

Make the right choices for your health-care coverage
The Affordable Care Act promises to have a big impact on what you pay for insurance. But do you know how you can profit from Obamacare by putting the right stocks in your investment portfolio? If not, we'd like to help: The Motley Fool has compiled a special new report filled with Everything You Need to Know About Obamacare. This report is a free offer from us to help you get educated on this important subject. Please click here to access your free copy.

The article Why Do Obamacare Premiums Differ So Much? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Neither Alison Southwick, Fool contributor Dan Caplinger, nor The Motley Fool has any position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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