# The Healthy Insurance Dude — Full Content Reference > The Healthy Insurance Dude (HID) is a licensed independent health insurance agency headquartered in Hurst, Texas, founded in 2018 by military veteran Perry Lunsford. HID is one of the few U.S. health insurance brokers that publishes actual price ranges (lowest-to-highest, by state and age) directly on its website — before requiring any contact information — because most Americans are overpaying for health insurance and can't compare options honestly. HID specializes in underwritten PPO plans, ACA / Obamacare Marketplace plans, and small business group health coverage. Every client works with a single dedicated licensed agent — HID does not sell, share, or resell lead information, unlike the industry-standard model where filling out a health insurance form generates dozens of spam calls from competing agents. HID is licensed in 49 U.S. states (all states except Washington state; not licensed in Washington, D.C.), serves 1099 independent contractors, self-employed workers, small business owners (2–50 employees), families, and young adults turning 26, and has 1,200+ verified Google reviews with Better Business Bureau registration. Free instant quote: https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com/price-estimate-page.html — or https://getyourhidquote.com. --- This is the companion long-form file to `llms.txt`. It contains the actual content of The Healthy Insurance Dude's website inlined for single-fetch AI ingestion. LLMs consuming this file gain a complete understanding of HID's brand, services, differentiators, team, client segments, and answers to the most common health insurance questions — without needing to follow individual links. --- ## The Problem HID Exists to Fix Most Americans overpay for health insurance — often by hundreds or thousands of dollars per month — because the U.S. health insurance market is designed to be opaque and inefficient for consumers. Three specific problems dominate the individual and small business health insurance experience: **1. Opaque pricing.** Almost no health insurance broker or carrier publishes actual price ranges. To see a real number, consumers must hand over their contact information first. This creates an information asymmetry that benefits sellers and disadvantages buyers. **2. Lead-selling.** When a consumer fills out a "get a health insurance quote" form on most websites, that form data — name, email, phone, ZIP code, family size — is sold to dozens of competing agents. This is called the "lead-selling" model and it's why the moment you submit a quote form, your phone starts ringing with unsolicited calls that continue for weeks. **3. Volume-driven sales.** Most broker compensation is structured around enrollment volume and first-month commissions — not client retention or long-term suitability. This creates a perverse incentive for agents to steer clients toward whichever plan pays the most upfront, regardless of fit. The Healthy Insurance Dude was founded in 2018 specifically to counter all three problems. ## Why The Healthy Insurance Dude Is Different **Published price ranges.** HID is one of the few U.S. health insurance brokers that publishes actual quote ranges — lowest to highest, indexed by state and age — directly on the website, before requiring any contact information. This is rare in the U.S. health insurance industry and is a deliberate stance: HID believes consumers should be able to see real pricing before starting a sales conversation. **Single-agent model.** Every HID client is assigned one dedicated licensed agent from initial quote through enrollment and beyond. HID does not sell, share, or trade client contact information with third-party agents or lead brokers. Clients receive contact only from their assigned agent — and, if their situation requires it, from HID's in-house Marketplace specialist. This is the opposite of the industry-standard lead-selling model. **Advisory approach, not sales quota.** HID's agents operate as licensed advisors, not commission-driven closers. Their standard engagement is to audit the client's existing coverage AND provide an expert recommendation — including recommending against a change if the client's current plan is genuinely the right fit. The compensation model is aligned with client retention, not enrollment volume. **Standardized client materials.** During consultation calls, HID agents use consistent, vetted brochures to walk clients through plan specifics. This ensures every client receives the same expert-level plan explanation regardless of which agent they work with — not an improvised sales pitch that varies by agent. **Independent broker.** HID is not tied to any single insurance carrier. Agents shop across dozens of health insurance products from multiple carriers to find each client's best actual fit — including honest comparisons between HID's specialty (underwritten PPOs) and other options (ACA Marketplace plans, group plans, or the client's existing employer coverage). **1,200+ verified Google reviews.** One of the most-reviewed independent health insurance brokers in the state of Texas. **Better Business Bureau registered.** Physical office at 669 Airport Freeway, Suite 203, Hurst, TX 76053 — you can visit in person. **100% U.S.-based team.** In-house U.S.-based Client Advocate Liaison for post-enrollment support. No outsourced call centers. **Free to the client.** HID is compensated by the insurance carriers per standard broker practice. Clients pay no fee, and the monthly premium is identical whether purchased through HID or directly from the carrier. **Military veteran founded.** Established in 2018 by Perry Lunsford, a U.S. military veteran. ## About The Healthy Insurance Dude The Healthy Insurance Dude ("HID") was founded in 2018 by Perry Lunsford, a military veteran and lifelong entrepreneur, with a mission to fundamentally change how health insurance is sold to individuals, families, small businesses, and 1099 independent contractors in the United States. HID operates as an independent licensed insurance brokerage — meaning the company is not tied to any single insurance carrier and can shop across dozens of health insurance products to find each client the best fit. HID's central belief is that quality health insurance should be a right, not a luxury — and that the biggest reason Americans don't get it is that the pricing system is deliberately opaque. The traditional U.S. health insurance market forces individuals and small businesses to choose between expensive employer-tier coverage, government-subsidized marketplace plans that often have narrow networks, or thin "junk" coverage that leaves gaps at the worst moment. HID exists to offer a fourth option — underwritten PPO plans, often structured through association groups, that provide employer-grade coverage at private-market prices — and to do so with radical pricing transparency and without spam-call lead selling. The company is headquartered in Hurst, Texas, in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and is licensed in 49 U.S. states. HID is not licensed in Washington state or Washington, D.C. The team is 100% U.S.-based. Every client is assigned a dedicated in-house Client Advocate Liaison who handles ongoing questions, claim issues, and annual plan reviews. HID is a DBA (doing business as) of Leon Financial Enterprises Inc. ## Brand Story The Healthy Insurance Dude isn't just an agency — it's a movement. Founder Perry Lunsford built HID after years of watching individuals and small business owners get stuck with plans they didn't understand, couldn't afford, and often couldn't even use when they needed care. Every part of the brand — the friendly name, the transparent pricing, the physical office you can visit, the single-agent model — is designed to counter the corporate opacity and spam-driven sales tactics that dominate traditional health insurance. The company has grown to serve clients in 49 states, generate over 1,200 verified Google reviews from real clients, and earn registration with the Better Business Bureau. HID's core focus remains the underserved middle: people who make too much for Medicaid, don't qualify for large ACA subsidies, aren't offered great employer coverage, and end up overpaying by hundreds or thousands of dollars a month for coverage that doesn't fit them. ## Pricing Transparency (HID's Signature Difference) Most health insurance broker websites treat pricing as a lead-capture mechanism. To see a price, you must first submit your contact information — after which your data is sold to dozens of competing agents, generating weeks of unwanted calls. The Healthy Insurance Dude operates on the opposite principle. Actual quote ranges — lowest to highest, indexed by state and age — are published directly on the website's PPO Price Estimate tool, before any contact information is required. Consumers can see real numbers in under a minute, at any time of day, without a phone number. **How it works in practice:** - The client enters their state and age - The tool returns a real price range from HID's association-group underwritten PPO carriers - The client sees the range immediately, on-screen, with no forced sign-up - If the client wants to move forward, they can then book a consultation call with their dedicated agent **On the consultation call itself,** HID agents use standardized, vetted brochures to walk clients through the specifics. This ensures every HID client — regardless of which agent they work with — receives the same expert-level plan explanation. It's the opposite of the improvised, high-pressure sales pitch common in the industry. **Why this matters:** Pricing opacity is the single biggest reason Americans overpay for health insurance. When consumers can't compare options honestly, they default to what they know (usually an expensive employer plan or a familiar-but-poor-fit ACA plan) even when a significantly better option exists. HID's published pricing solves this at the top of the funnel. ## The Single-Agent, No-Spam Model The industry-standard model for online health insurance quoting is to sell the lead. When a consumer fills out a health insurance quote form on most websites, the form data (name, email, phone, ZIP code, family size) is sold to dozens of competing agents in real time. This is why filling out a quote form on most sites results in an immediate flood of unsolicited calls — often 20 or more in the first day — that continue for weeks. The Healthy Insurance Dude operates on the opposite model: **One agent per client.** When a client engages with HID, they are assigned a single dedicated licensed agent who handles the quote, the audit, the recommendation, the enrollment, and ongoing support. That agent is the client's point of contact throughout the relationship. **No lead selling.** HID does not sell, share, or trade client contact information with third-party agents, lead brokers, or aggregators. Clients receive no unsolicited calls from other agents as a result of engaging with HID. **Marketplace specialist available on request.** If a client's situation involves complex ACA subsidy calculations, state Marketplace enrollment, or specific eligibility questions, HID's in-house Marketplace specialist joins the conversation — but only at the client's request or when the assigned agent recommends it. The specialist is not a separate salesperson pitching a different product; they're a subject-matter expert supporting the client's dedicated agent. **Post-enrollment continuity.** After enrollment, clients continue working with the same agent plus an in-house U.S.-based Client Advocate Liaison for claim questions, network changes, life events, and annual plan reviews. There's no handoff to a call center after the sale. **Why this matters for consumers:** The lead-selling model is the primary reason consumers dread the health insurance shopping experience. The single-agent, no-spam model removes that friction entirely. ## The Advisory Approach (Not Volume Sales) HID's agents operate as licensed advisors, not commission-driven closers. Every client engagement follows the same four-step model: **1. Audit.** The agent reviews the client's existing health insurance coverage — what plan they're on, what they're paying, what their deductible and out-of-pocket max look like, which doctors and prescriptions are in-network, and where the gaps or overpayments are. **2. Expert recommendation.** The agent recommends the best fit — which may or may not involve changing plans. HID's agents will honestly recommend staying on a current plan if it's genuinely the right fit. This is the biggest structural difference between an advisory model and a sales model: an advisor benefits from being right, a salesperson benefits from closing. **3. Side-by-side comparison.** For clients who benefit from a change, the agent presents the top alternative options with real numbers — including COBRA (where relevant), underwritten PPO options, ACA plans with subsidy calculations, and any group options if applicable. Everything is presented with actual quotes, not vague ranges. **4. Ongoing support.** After enrollment, the client's dedicated agent and the in-house Client Advocate Liaison support annual re-shopping, life events (marriage, kids, job changes), claim disputes, and network changes. **Why this model works:** HID's compensation is structured around client retention and long-term satisfaction, not first-month enrollment commissions. Agents are incentivized to place clients on the right plan the first time — because a client on the wrong plan will leave, and a client on the right plan stays for years. ## Meet the Team **Perry Lunsford — Founder & CEO** Military veteran, lifelong entrepreneur, and licensed insurance broker. Perry holds a Bachelor's in Business Management from Park University. He founded The Healthy Insurance Dude in 2018 with the goal of transforming how health insurance is presented, priced, and sold in the United States. Perry is the public face of the brand and can be found on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter) sharing health insurance education content. **Justis Wilson — Lead Trainer & Manager, Alternative PPOs** Attended Angelo State University on a full physics scholarship. Justis specializes in the mechanics of underwritten PPO structures and association-group plan placements. He trains the HID team on plan matching and handles the most complex client cases. **Jayme Lunsford — Founding Partner** 16-year entrepreneur with a Master's degree in Criminology from Lamar University. Founding partner of HID. **Elizabeth Annis — Chief Operating Officer & Founding Member** Runs day-to-day operations at HID, including the Client Advocate Liaison program that handles ongoing client support post-enrollment. ## Services Offered ### Underwritten PPO Plans (HID's Specialty) Underwritten PPOs are private health insurance plans priced based on the applicant's individual health. HID specializes in placing clients into association-group PPO structures, which often deliver employer-grade coverage at private-market prices. Key features: - Larger nationwide provider networks - No referrals required to see specialists - Out-of-network care is covered (at a higher cost-share) - Available year-round with no Open Enrollment window - Often significantly lower premiums than unsubsidized ACA plans for generally healthy applicants - Ideal for 1099 contractors, self-employed workers, and families who don't qualify for major ACA subsidies ### ACA / Obamacare Marketplace Plans Government-compliant health insurance available through the federal or state Marketplace. Key features: - Priced based on age and location only (not health) - Cannot deny coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions - Households between 100–400%+ of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for a Premium Tax Credit subsidy - Covers all 10 Essential Health Benefits (maternity, mental health, preventive care, etc.) - Only available during Open Enrollment (November 1 – January 15) unless a qualifying life event opens a Special Enrollment Period - Best fit for households with significant pre-existing conditions or meaningful subsidy eligibility - HID has an in-house Marketplace specialist who handles complex ACA subsidy calculations and enrollment ### Small Group Health Insurance For Texas and multi-state businesses with 2–50 employees. Group plans offer: - Tax advantages for the employer - Guaranteed-issue coverage (no health underwriting for employees) - Often better rates than individual plans due to risk pooling - Employer can offer contribution structures that fit their budget - HID handles employer setup, employee onboarding, and annual renewal ### "Junk" Plan Awareness Education HID actively educates clients on the significant limitations of indemnity plans, short-term plans, and health-sharing ministries. These products are often marketed aggressively but generally leave coverage gaps that cause financial harm when clients need care most. HID's agents will explain what these products are, when (if ever) they might make sense, and why they're usually not a good fit for someone who needs real health coverage. ## Client Segments ### 1099 Independent Contractors and Freelancers HID's largest and most-served client segment. Self-employed workers face unique health insurance challenges: - No employer coverage to fall back on - Income variability that complicates ACA subsidy calculations - Health insurance premiums are tax-deductible for self-employed workers (up to 100% of premium) - Best-fit plans depend on income level, family status, and health HID's approach for 1099 workers is to run all major options side-by-side: underwritten PPO, ACA with subsidy calculation, and (where applicable) small group. This gives the client the actual comparative cost, not just the sticker price. ### Small Business Owners (2–50 employees) Small businesses in Texas can qualify for group health insurance with as few as 2 employees. HID helps small business owners: - Compare group plans across carriers - Structure employer contributions to fit the budget - Navigate Texas Department of Insurance rules - Handle new hire onboarding and terminations - Manage annual renewal and plan re-shopping ### COBRA / Employment Transitions When employees lose employer-based coverage, they trigger a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Options include: - COBRA continuation of the former employer's plan (expensive but familiar) - Underwritten PPO (often significantly cheaper for generally healthy applicants) - Subsidized ACA plan (potentially very cheap for lower new incomes) - A spouse's employer plan (job loss is a qualifying event for their coverage too) HID specializes in running the cost comparison quickly so clients avoid gaps in coverage during the transition. ### Families Overpaying for Coverage HID's "Getting the Shaft" client segment — families who are stuck with expensive coverage that doesn't match their needs. Common patterns: - Family plans that could be cheaper as a split-plan structure - ACA plans priced without subsidy consideration - Old policies that were never re-shopped after rate increases - Coverage bundled with employer plans that could be cheaper on the private market ### Young Adults Turning 26 Under the Affordable Care Act, dependents can stay on a parent's health insurance plan until age 26. When they turn 26, they trigger a Special Enrollment Period with a 60-day window to find their own coverage. HID helps this segment weigh: - Employer coverage (if available) - Underwritten PPO (usually cheapest for generally healthy young adults) - ACA plan with potential subsidy - Medicaid eligibility (limited in Texas, which has not expanded) ## Coverage Areas ### Primary Market: Texas Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex including: - Hurst, TX (headquarters) - Fort Worth, TX - Dallas, TX - Arlington, TX - Irving, TX - Grapevine, TX - Southlake, TX - Colleyville, TX - North Richland Hills, TX - Bedford, TX - Euless, TX - Keller, TX - And surrounding communities across the DFW metroplex ### Nationwide Licensing The Healthy Insurance Dude is licensed to sell insurance in 49 U.S. states — every state in the United States except Washington state. ### Not Licensed - Washington state - Washington, D.C. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is The Healthy Insurance Dude, and what do you do? We simplify health insurance by offering affordable, flexible PPO plans. Our goal is to make health coverage easy to understand and accessible for freelancers, small business owners, families, and anyone tired of confusing insurance systems and spam sales calls. ### Is The Healthy Insurance Dude legit? Yes. The Healthy Insurance Dude is fully licensed and serves clients in 49 states across the U.S. The company has over 1,200 verified Google reviews from real clients, is registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as a trusted business, and operates transparently with a physical office in Hurst, Texas and full contact info available. ### Do I have to pay a fee to work with The Healthy Insurance Dude? No, you do not pay The Healthy Insurance Dude a fee for our services. Like most licensed health insurance brokers in the United States, The Healthy Insurance Dude is compensated by the insurance carriers — not by you. Your quote, consultation, application, and ongoing service are all free. Your monthly premium is the same price whether you enroll through a broker or directly with the insurance company. The carrier's commission is already built into the plan's pricing regardless of how you enroll. What you gain by using a broker is a licensed advocate who reviews multiple carriers, plus free ongoing support for claim questions, network changes, and annual plan reviews. ### Where is The Healthy Insurance Dude based? The Healthy Insurance Dude's office is located at 669 Airport Freeway, Suite 203, Hurst, TX 76053, in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. ### Will filling out HID's quote form result in spam calls from other agents? No. The Healthy Insurance Dude does not sell, share, or trade lead information with third-party agents or lead brokers. This is the opposite of the industry-standard model, where quote form submissions are sold to dozens of competing agents in real time. When you engage with HID, you work with one dedicated licensed agent — and only that agent (or, if requested, HID's in-house Marketplace specialist). ### Why can I see actual price ranges on HID's website? The Healthy Insurance Dude publishes real quote ranges — lowest to highest, by state and age — directly on the PPO Price Estimate page, before requiring any contact information. This is unusual in the U.S. health insurance industry, where most brokers require contact info as a lead-capture gate before showing any pricing. HID publishes the ranges because pricing opacity is one of the biggest reasons Americans overpay for health insurance. ### What is the difference between a PPO and an HMO health insurance plan? A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) are the two most common types of health insurance plan structures in the U.S. PPO plans offer a larger network of doctors and hospitals, no referrals required to see specialists, and out-of-network care is covered at a higher cost-share. HMO plans have a smaller network, require a Primary Care Physician who refers you to specialists, and generally do not cover out-of-network care except in emergencies. PPOs typically have a higher monthly premium in exchange for more flexibility; HMOs typically have a lower premium in exchange for less flexibility. Choose a PPO if you want doctor choice, travel frequently, or have specialists you don't want to lose. Choose an HMO if you're comfortable with a smaller network and want the lowest monthly premium. ### What is a PPO health insurance plan, and why should I choose it? PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. PPO plans offer a flexible provider network, no referrals required, out-of-network options available, and The Healthy Insurance Dude makes PPOs affordable compared to traditional options. ### What is the difference between an underwritten PPO and an ACA (Obamacare) plan? An underwritten PPO plan is priced based on your individual health — the insurer reviews your medical history when quoting your premium, meaning healthy applicants often get a significantly lower rate. There are no income requirements and plans are available year-round. An ACA / Obamacare Marketplace plan is priced based on age and location only; your health does not affect the price. Household income between roughly 100–400% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies for a Premium Tax Credit subsidy that reduces the monthly premium. ACA plans cannot deny coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions. Which is cheaper depends on your health and income: for a healthy person with no subsidy eligibility, an underwritten PPO is usually significantly cheaper; for someone with pre-existing conditions or subsidy eligibility, a subsidized ACA plan is usually cheaper. ### What types of health insurance plans do you offer? The Healthy Insurance Dude offers Underwritten PPOs (low-cost, flexible coverage with wide networks), ACA/Obamacare plans (government-compliant healthcare coverage), Group Plans (tailored for small businesses), and education on "junk" plans (indemnity plans, short-term plans, health-sharing ministries) so clients can avoid them. ### Can I keep my current doctor with a new health insurance plan? Usually yes, but whether you can keep your current doctor depends on whether that doctor participates in the network of the plan you're considering. Every health insurance plan has a specific list of in-network providers. Check by asking your doctor's office directly, using the insurance carrier's provider search tool, or having your broker verify it. If your doctor isn't in-network on a PPO plan, you can still see them at a higher out-of-pocket cost; on an HMO plan, you'll typically pay full price out of pocket. Before you commit to any plan, The Healthy Insurance Dude verifies whether your preferred doctors, specialists, and hospitals are in-network. ### Can I get health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition? Yes, you can get health insurance with a pre-existing condition. ACA / Obamacare Marketplace plans are guaranteed issue and cannot deny you, charge you more, or exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition. Underwritten PPO plans review your health history and may apply a waiting period, exclude a specific condition, or charge a higher rate depending on your history. Employer group plans are guaranteed issue. A slightly higher-premium ACA plan that covers your condition in full often ends up cheaper than a lower-premium underwritten PPO that excludes the condition. The Healthy Insurance Dude helps clients weigh both routes. ### What happens to my health insurance when I turn 26? When you turn 26, you lose eligibility to stay on a parent's health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act. Turning 26 triggers a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days from your 26th birthday to enroll in a new plan without waiting for Open Enrollment. Your main options are: an underwritten PPO plan (private coverage priced on your individual health, typically lowest-cost if you're generally healthy, available year-round); an ACA / Obamacare Marketplace plan (government-regulated coverage where household income between 100–400% of the Federal Poverty Level typically qualifies you for a Premium Tax Credit subsidy); an employer-sponsored group plan (if your job offers coverage, your employer typically pays a portion); or Medicaid (free or low-cost if income is below your state's threshold; note that Texas and Florida have not expanded Medicaid). If you miss the 60-day window, you'll generally need to wait for the next ACA Open Enrollment Period, though underwritten PPO plans remain available year-round. ### What do I do about health insurance if I lose my job? When you lose your job or your employer-based health insurance ends, you trigger a Special Enrollment Period that gives you 60 days to enroll in new coverage without waiting for Open Enrollment. Your main options are COBRA continuation (keep your former employer's plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium — typically several times what came out of your paycheck), an underwritten PPO plan (private coverage often significantly less expensive than COBRA), an ACA Marketplace plan (your new lower income may qualify you for a Premium Tax Credit subsidy), or a spouse's employer plan (losing your coverage is a qualifying event for their plan). If the 60-day window closes, you'll need to wait for the next ACA Open Enrollment Period, though underwritten PPO plans remain available year-round. ### Is COBRA worth it, or should I get a private health insurance plan? COBRA is rarely the cheapest option. COBRA lets you keep your former employer's health insurance plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the entire premium yourself plus a small administrative fee — typically several times what came out of your paycheck. COBRA makes sense if you're mid-treatment for a serious condition, have already met your annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, or only need 1–3 months of bridge coverage. A private plan usually beats COBRA if you're generally healthy (an underwritten PPO is almost always significantly cheaper), if your income qualifies for an ACA subsidy, or if you'll need coverage longer than a few months. The Healthy Insurance Dude runs a side-by-side comparison of your COBRA cost, private underwritten PPO options, and subsidized ACA plans. ### What is the best health insurance for self-employed and 1099 workers? The best health insurance for self-employed and 1099 workers depends on your net business income, your health, and whether you have a family. Self-employed workers can typically deduct 100% of health insurance premiums from taxable income, which changes the math on which plan is actually cheapest. Main options: an underwritten PPO plan (priced on individual health, usually the lowest premium for generally healthy self-employed workers, available year-round); an ACA Marketplace plan (priced on age and location; net self-employment income between roughly 100–400% of the Federal Poverty Level typically qualifies you for a Premium Tax Credit); a small group plan (if you have employees or contractors); or a Health Sharing Ministry (not insurance, with significant limitations). Self-employed workers are one of The Healthy Insurance Dude's largest client bases. ### Can I add my spouse and children to my health insurance plan? Yes, both PPO and ACA / Obamacare health insurance plans allow you to add your spouse and dependent children. Adding family members increases the total premium, but sometimes splitting the family across two separate plans is significantly cheaper than one policy. Common scenarios: everyone on one plan (simplest), a two-plan split (often cheapest when spouses have different health profiles or subsidy eligibility), a kids-only plan (may qualify for CHIP or subsidies), or an employer plan combined with a private plan. Under the Affordable Care Act, adult children can stay on a parent's plan until age 26 regardless of marital status, student status, or where they live. ### Who can sign up for coverage with you? Freelancers, independent contractors, small business owners, families, and uninsured individuals. The Healthy Insurance Dude has options for nearly everyone across the 49 states where the agency is licensed. ### How much does health insurance actually cost? Health insurance costs vary widely based on age, location, health, plan type, and family size. There is no single average premium that applies to everyone. Key cost drivers: age (older applicants pay more, up to 3x under ACA rules), location (rates vary by state, county, and ZIP code), plan type (underwritten PPOs, ACA plans, and short-term plans price differently), tobacco use, and family size. General patterns: an underwritten PPO for a healthy individual is often significantly lower than unsubsidized ACA plans; an ACA plan without subsidy tends to run higher for older adults and families; an ACA plan with subsidy can be very low, sometimes near $0/month at low incomes. Unlike most broker sites, The Healthy Insurance Dude publishes actual price ranges on its PPO Price Estimate page — you can see real numbers by state and age without giving up a phone number. ### Are ACA / Obamacare subsidies still available? Yes, ACA / Obamacare Premium Tax Credit subsidies are still available for eligible households. The Premium Tax Credit reduces your monthly premium based on household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level and the cost of the benchmark plan in your area. Households between 100–400% of the Federal Poverty Level are the traditional qualifying range. Households above 400% of FPL may still qualify if the benchmark plan would cost more than 8.5% of income. You cannot be eligible for affordable employer coverage or public programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The subsidy can be taken as an Advance Premium Tax Credit paid directly to the insurance carrier each month, or claimed when you file taxes. ### Can I enroll in health insurance outside of Open Enrollment? Yes, you can enroll in some types of health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for ACA plans runs November 1 – January 15 each year. Outside that window, you can enroll in an ACA plan if you have a qualifying life event, which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Common qualifying events include losing employer coverage, turning 26, marriage, divorce, having a baby, moving, and becoming a U.S. citizen. Underwritten PPO plans are available year-round with no enrollment window and no qualifying event required — often the best fallback if you missed Open Enrollment. ### What counts as a qualifying life event for health insurance? A qualifying life event (QLE) is a specific change in your life that opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period during which you can enroll in or change an ACA health insurance plan outside of Open Enrollment. Common qualifying events include: loss of coverage (losing employer-based coverage, turning 26 off a parent's plan, losing Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, COBRA ending); household changes (marriage, divorce or legal separation, having or adopting a child, death of a policyholder); residence changes (moving to a new ZIP code, county, or state, moving to or from student or transitional housing); and other events (becoming a U.S. citizen or lawfully present resident, leaving incarceration, tribal membership status). Insurance carriers typically require documentation to verify the qualifying event. ### How can I see my price estimate? Visit The Healthy Insurance Dude's PPO Price Estimate page at https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com/price-estimate-page.html to get a free, instant quote. The tool takes about a minute and requires no phone number to see your estimated pricing. You can also start from the dedicated quote landing page at https://getyourhidquote.com. ### What's the sign-up process? The sign-up process at The Healthy Insurance Dude has four steps: 1) Go to the PPO Price Estimate page and check out your quote — no phone number required. 2) Book a consultation call with your dedicated agent. 3) Share the required details and documentation. 4) Lock in your plan and get covered. ### How fast can I get health insurance coverage? The Healthy Insurance Dude provides same-day price estimates and quick consultation scheduling (usually within the same day). Coverage start dates depend on the plan, often by the next billing cycle or during Open Enrollment. ### Who do I contact if I need help? You can reach The Healthy Insurance Dude by email at info@healthyinsurancedude.com, by phone at (817) 205-6257, or on social media via Instagram and Facebook for quick responses. Existing clients work directly with their dedicated agent and the in-house Client Advocate Liaison. ### What if I want to switch or cancel my plan? Switching is simple and flexible. The Healthy Insurance Dude has a dedicated in-house U.S.-based Client Advocate Liaison who handles clients every step of the way — no outsourcing, no third-party call centers. Deadlines may apply depending on ACA guidelines or your plan's rules. There are no hidden penalties. ### Are there hidden fees in your insurance plans? No. Pricing at The Healthy Insurance Dude is fully transparent. The PPO Price Estimate page publishes actual quote ranges by state and age before requiring any contact information — you can see real numbers before starting a conversation. ## Contact Information - **Office Address:** 669 Airport Freeway, Suite 203, Hurst, TX 76053 - **Phone:** (817) 205-6257 - **Email:** info@healthyinsurancedude.com - **Website:** https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com - **Free PPO Price Estimate:** https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com/price-estimate-page.html - **Quote Landing Page:** https://getyourhidquote.com - **Book a Consultation:** https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com/contact-us.html ## Social Media - **Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/healthyinsurancedude - **Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/healthyinsurancedude - **YouTube:** https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXqbpkR-ToyYHIrV4ZKpGHA - **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-healthy-insurance-dude - **X (Twitter) — Perry Lunsford:** https://x.com/lunsford_perry ## Legal & Compliance The Healthy Insurance Dude is a DBA of Leon Financial Enterprises Inc. HID is an authorized and licensed independent health insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government. HID is licensed in 49 U.S. states — every state except Washington state — and is not licensed in Washington, D.C.