Why your health insurance is so expensive

Explain It to Me

Vox Media Podcast Network

Education, Politics, News, Society & Culture

4.4 • 7.9K Ratings

🗓️ 9 November 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It’s open enrollment season, and new health insurance premiums are causing sticker shock around the country. So how do you pick a health care plan that won’t break the bank? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Support for this show comes from OnePassword. If you're an IT or security pro, managing devices,
0:08.3	identities, and applications can feel overwhelming and risky. Trellica by OnePassword helps
0:14.8	conquer SaaS sprawl and Shadow IT by discovering every app your team uses, managed or not.
0:21.5	Take the first step to better security for your team.
0:24.9	Learn more at OnePassword.com slash podcast offer.
0:29.7	That's OnePassword.com slash podcast offer, all lowercase. Support for this show comes from OnePassword.
0:41.3	If you're an IT or security pro, managing devices, identities, and applications can feel overwhelming and risky.
0:49.3	Trellica by OnePassword helps conquer SaaS sprawl and Shadow IT by discovering every app your team uses, managed or not.
0:58.4	Take the first step to better security for your team.
1:01.9	Learn more at OnePassword.com slash podcast offer.
1:06.5	That's OnePassword.com slash podcast offer.
1:11.7	All lowercase.
1:18.7	I am wondering if having healthcare coverage is worth it from a financial perspective.
1:23.0	It feels pretty bad to be in health care, in America.
1:24.6	It makes me want to move.
1:29.2	I just stick with the millennial health care plan, which is don't get hurt, don't get sick.
1:32.5	You guys, it's time.
1:35.1	We got to choose our health insurance again.
1:47.1	Gonna be honest, I've been off my parents' insurance for almost a decade now, and I still call my mom to try to figure out which plan is best for money.
1:50.4	Because somehow it keeps getting more complicated.
1:53.2	Hey, JQ, this is Natalie.
2:00.1	When I signed up for my benefits, I was given a big book, and I was told, read the book and pick your benefits.
	...

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