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Comment by kunle | Hacker News Reader

Oh hell yeah this is coming. I built healthplanexplorer because the files were too unwieldy, but the ultimate consumer format for this is a map like https://carbonhealth.com/flu/flu-vaccination-centers

With 1. A way to choose your plan 2. A way to see all providers in network with that plan 3. A way to see contract rates 4. A way to estimate your out of pocket costs (copay plus deductible) if you go for a specific service

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A good insurance agent should do most of 1-4, but your service should make their job easier. So I see this as more for them than for a consumer. And also because after a plan is selected, copays and deductibles are essentially fixed so consumer would have no need to price shop.

What do you mean insurance agent? The process of picking health insurance in the US doesn't utilize agents.

> And also because after a plan is selected, copays and deductibles are essentially fixed so consumer would have no need to price shop.

This assumes that the service you're picking costs more than the deductible. If the service you're shopping for costs less than your deductible, you're paying for all of it up front...

I am in US and have an idependent insurance agent that offers healthcare plans for every insurance company licensed in our state. They compared my plan with all the others, taking into account the types of service I use, what is covered when travelling, etc. Anytime I need a specialist I call the agent for a list of in-network doctors.

Wow, never knew this was a thing. Do they have a website/can you share?

Are you insured through your employer or via an exchange?

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