🛡️
Healthcare.gov Marketplace
Federal health-insurance marketplace for individual and family plans. Compare plans, check eligibility for subsidies, and enroll during Open Enrollment or after a qualifying life event.
Visit →Healthcare Resources & Wellness Tools
Federal health-insurance marketplace for individual and family plans. Compare plans, check eligibility for subsidies, and enroll during Open Enrollment or after a qualifying life event.
Visit →Official federal program for people 65+ and some younger people with disabilities. Explore Parts A, B, C (Advantage), and D; find plans; manage your account.
Visit →Joint federal-state program providing coverage for low-income adults, children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Eligibility and benefits vary by state.
Visit →Department of Labor guide to COBRA, which lets you keep employer-sponsored coverage for a limited time after job loss, reduced hours, or other qualifying events.
Visit →DPC is a membership-based model where patients pay a flat monthly fee directly to their primary-care practice for routine care — no insurance middleman for visits, and typically longer appointments.
AAFP overview →Searchable, community-maintained directory of direct primary-care practices across the United States. Filter by location, fees, and services offered.
Visit →DPC typically pairs with a high-deductible catastrophic plan. Benefits include predictable pricing, direct access to your physician, and more time per visit; it does not replace hospital or specialty coverage.
DPC Coalition →For any life-threatening emergency — severe bleeding, chest pain, stroke symptoms, unconsciousness, serious injury — call 911 immediately. Do not drive yourself if seriously ill.
📞 Call 911Free, confidential, 24/7 support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 — services available in English and Spanish, with interpreters for other languages.
📞 Call or text 98824/7 expert advice for known or suspected poisoning, medication overdose, or exposure to toxic substances. Free, confidential, and staffed by medical professionals.
📞 1-800-222-1222Use the American Hospital Association's hospital finder or search "emergency room near me" in your maps app. In a true emergency, 911 responders can route you to the closest appropriate facility.
AHA Hospital Finder →Official immunization schedules for children, adolescents, and adults. Includes catch-up recommendations and travel-specific vaccines. Updated annually by the CDC's ACIP.
Visit →Evidence-based preventive-services recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Grade A and B services are generally covered without cost-sharing under the ACA.
Visit →MedlinePlus guide on what to expect during a routine adult wellness visit — history, vitals, age-appropriate screenings, immunizations, and preventive counseling.
MedlinePlus →American Dental Association recommendations for brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits. Most people benefit from a cleaning and exam every 6 months.
MouthHealthy (ADA) →Confidential, 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Specialized lines for veterans, Spanish speakers, and LGBTQ+ youth.
📞 Call or text 988Free, confidential, 24/7/365 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance-use disorders.
📞 1-800-662-4357The National Alliance on Mental Illness — education, peer support, and advocacy. NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264 (or text "HelpLine" to 62640), M–F 10am–10pm ET.
Visit →Search therapists, psychiatrists, and treatment centers by location, specialty, insurance, and more. Profiles include credentials and approaches.
Visit →Free, 24/7 text-based crisis support with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor. Text HOME to 741741 (US & Canada) or 85258 in the UK.
Visit →Free coupons and price comparisons for prescription drugs at most U.S. pharmacies. Often significantly lower than cash price and sometimes beats insurance copays.
Visit →Nonprofit database of patient-assistance programs, free and low-cost clinics, and coupons. Search by medication, diagnosis, or ZIP code.
Visit →Comprehensive directory of manufacturer patient-assistance programs (PAPs) that provide free or low-cost brand-name medications to eligible patients.
Visit →Transparent-pricing online pharmacy — manufacturer cost + 15% markup + pharmacy fee + shipping. Often dramatically lower than retail pharmacy pricing on generics.
Visit →| Vital | Normal range | When to seek care |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | < 120/80 mmHg (normal) | ≥ 180/120 with symptoms → call 911; ≥ 180/120 without → urgent care |
| Heart rate (resting) | 60–100 bpm | Sustained < 50 or > 120 with symptoms, or any irregular rhythm with chest pain/syncope |
| Respiratory rate | 12–20 breaths/min | < 10 or > 24 at rest, or any new shortness of breath |
| Temperature (oral) | 97.0–99.0 °F (36.1–37.2 °C) | ≥ 103 °F (39.4 °C); any fever > 100.4 in an infant < 3 months |
| Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) | 95–100% at sea level | < 92% sustained, or < 88% with COPD per provider plan |
| Screening | 18–39 | 40–49 | 50–64 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Every 3–5 y (normal) | Annually | Annually | Annually |
| Cholesterol (lipid panel) | Starting 35 (men) / 45 (women) | Every 4–6 y | Every 4–6 y | Every 4–6 y |
| Diabetes (A1C or fasting glucose) | If overweight & risk factors | Every 3 y starting 35 | Every 3 y | Every 3 y |
| Colorectal cancer | — | Begin at 45 | Every 1–10 y (by test) | Through 75; individualized 76–85 |
| Cervical cancer (if cervix) | Pap q3y from 21; or co-test from 30 | Pap/HPV co-test q5y | Pap/HPV co-test q5y | Stop at 65 if prior adequate screening |
| Breast cancer (if at risk) | Shared decision from 40 | Every 2 y | Every 2 y | Every 2 y through 74 |
| Lung cancer (LDCT) | — | 50+ with ≥20 pack-years | Annual if eligible | Through 80 if eligible |
| Osteoporosis (DEXA) | — | — | Women ≥ 65; earlier with risk | Women routinely; men by risk |
| Depression & anxiety | Screen all adults | Screen all adults | Screen all adults | Screen all adults |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | — | — | Men 65–75 who ever smoked | Men 65–75 who ever smoked |
| Vaccine | Who | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza (flu) | All adults 6 mo+ | Annually, ideally by October |
| COVID-19 | All adults | Per current CDC guidance; at least 1 dose of updated vaccine annually |
| Tdap / Td | All adults | Tdap once, then Td or Tdap booster every 10 y; Tdap each pregnancy |
| Shingles (recombinant, Shingrix) | Adults 50+, immunocompromised 19+ | 2-dose series, 2–6 mo apart |
| Pneumococcal (PCV20 or PCV15 + PPSV23) | Adults 65+, or 19–64 with risk factors | Per current ACIP guidance |
| RSV | Adults 75+, 60–74 at increased risk, pregnancy 32–36 wks | Per current ACIP guidance |
| Hepatitis B | All adults 19–59 (or risk-based 60+) | 2-, 3-, or 4-dose series depending on product |
| HPV | Through 26; shared decision 27–45 | 2- or 3-dose series (age-dependent) |
| MMR / Varicella | Adults without immunity | Catch-up series if needed |
| Lab | Reference range | Units |
|---|---|---|
| White blood cell count (WBC) | 4.5–11.0 | ×10³/µL |
| Red blood cell count (RBC) — men | 4.7–6.1 | ×10⁶/µL |
| Red blood cell count (RBC) — women | 4.2–5.4 | ×10⁶/µL |
| Hemoglobin — men | 13.5–17.5 | g/dL |
| Hemoglobin — women | 12.0–15.5 | g/dL |
| Hematocrit — men | 41–53 | % |
| Hematocrit — women | 36–46 | % |
| Platelets | 150–450 | ×10³/µL |
| Lab | Reference range | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose (fasting) | 70–99 | mg/dL |
| BUN | 7–20 | mg/dL |
| Creatinine | 0.6–1.3 | mg/dL |
| eGFR | ≥ 90 | mL/min/1.73 m² |
| Sodium | 135–145 | mmol/L |
| Potassium | 3.5–5.0 | mmol/L |
| Chloride | 96–106 | mmol/L |
| CO₂ (bicarbonate) | 22–29 | mmol/L |
| Calcium | 8.5–10.2 | mg/dL |
| Lab | Optimal | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | < 200 | mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | < 100 (< 70 if high-risk) | mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol — men | ≥ 40 | mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol — women | ≥ 50 | mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | < 150 | mg/dL |
| Lab | Reference range | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin A1C (non-diabetic) | < 5.7 | % |
| Hemoglobin A1C (prediabetes) | 5.7–6.4 | % |
| Hemoglobin A1C (diabetes) | ≥ 6.5 | % |
| TSH | 0.4–4.0 | mIU/L |
| Term | Plain-language meaning |
|---|---|
| Premium | The monthly cost of having the plan — even if you never use care. |
| Deductible | What you pay for covered services before the plan starts paying its share. |
| Copay | A flat fee you pay for a specific service (e.g., $25 to see a primary-care doctor). |
| Coinsurance | A percentage you pay for covered services after you've met the deductible (e.g., 20%). |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | The most you pay in a plan year. After hitting it, the plan pays 100% of covered services. |
| HMO | Health Maintenance Org. — usually must use in-network providers and get referrals for specialists. |
| PPO | Preferred Provider Org. — more flexibility (out-of-network at higher cost, no referrals needed). |
| EPO | Exclusive Provider Org. — in-network only (except emergencies), but no referrals required. |
| HDHP | High-Deductible Health Plan — higher deductible in exchange for a lower premium; often HSA-eligible. |
| HSA | Health Savings Account. Pre-tax money for qualified medical expenses. Rolls over year to year. |
| FSA | Flexible Spending Account. Pre-tax, employer-sponsored. Usually "use it or lose it" annually. |
| Prior authorization | Insurer's advance approval required before a service, drug, or device is covered. |
| Formulary | The list of drugs your plan covers, often split into tiers with different cost-sharing. |
| In-network | Providers who have contracted rates with your plan — your cost-sharing applies normally. |
| Out-of-network | Providers without a contract — higher (or no) coverage; you may be balance-billed. |
| EOB (Explanation of Benefits) | A statement from your insurer showing what was billed, paid, and what you may owe. Not a bill. |
| Claim | A request for payment submitted to your insurer after you get care. |
Fill in what you want to bring up, then print or copy for your visit. Nothing is saved unless you copy/print it.
Dr. Andrew Weil's 4-7-8 pattern: inhale 4 s, hold 7 s, exhale 8 s. A gentle relaxation technique — not a substitute for treatment of anxiety or breathing disorders.