Preventive Services Covered by Private Health Plans under the Affordable Care Act

60 Uplifting Quotes That Honor World Mental Health Day

While mental health has become an increasingly normalized topic in recent years, we have a long way to go on our road to squash stigmas and boost mental health awareness.

World Mental Health Day, which takes place on October 10, is an annual reminder of the importance of mental health advocacy, care, education, and awareness.

Studies show that more than one in five adults in the U.S. Live with a mental illness, and 1 out of every 8 people in the world lives with a mental disorder.

Nobody is immune from mental health challenges: from pop stars to poets, many high-profile people have shared their perspectives on mental health and revealed their personal struggles.

That's why it's crucial to talk openly about mental health and check in with yourself on a regular basis. If you're feeling overwhelmed, sad, or simply out of sorts, take some time to rest, practice mindfulness, and prioritize self-care. After all, you can't be your best self at the expense of your emotional wellbeing.

Make your mental health a priority today, whether you're at work, home, or school. You might even inspire others in your community to join you in the effort to promote mental health awareness.

If you're looking for some inspiration and support, these World Mental Health Day quotes will help you recognize that you're never alone.

"We all have mental health in the same way that we all have physical health. It's OK to have depression, it's OK to have anxiety, it's OK to have an adjustment disorder." — Prince Harry

"I've learned what I can control is whether I am going to live a day in fear and depression and panic, or whether I am going to attack the day and make it as good a day, as wonderful a day, as I can." — Gilda Radner

"Maybe we have to break everything to make something better out of ourselves." — Chuck Palahniuk

"When we experience an illness or depression not as our own but as the universe's, we are one with all beings who experience this kind of suffering." — Jean Leloup

"The less harshly we judge ourselves, the more accepting we become of others." — Harold H. Bloomfield

"Depression can be usefully seen, from one point of view, as the inability to see or construct a future." — Rollo May

"You don't have to do anything especially worthy to create or deserve self-esteem; all you have to do is turn off that critical, haranguing, inner voice." — David D. Burns

"For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching has become a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong." — Bill W.

"When well-being comes from engaging our strengths and virtues, our lives are imbued with authenticity." — Martin Seligman

"The only difference between a flower and a weed is judgement." — Wayne Dyer

"The quest for meaning is the key to mental health and human flourishing." — Viktor Frankl

"While there is life there is happiness. There is much, much before us." — Leo Tolstoy, "War and Peace"

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tunes without the words — and never stops at all." — Emily Dickinson

"Depression doesn't take away your talents — it just makes them harder to find. But I always find it. I learned that my sadness never destroyed what was great about me. You just have to go back to that greatness, find that one little light that's left." — Lady Gaga

"One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful." — Sigmund Freud

"What allows us, as human beings, to psychologically survive life on earth, with all of its pain, drama, and challenges, is a sense of purpose and meaning." — Barbara De Angelis

"I have been bent and broken, but — I hope — into a better shape." — Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations"

"Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love." — Brené Brown

"Even in the darkest moments, light exists if you have faith to see it." — Dean Koontz

"If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken." — Selena Gomez

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." — Leonard Cohen

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." — Maya Angelou

"In the middle of winter I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger—something better, pushing right back." — Albert Camus, "Return to Tipasa"

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." — Helen Keller

"The act of facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and beauty." — Malcolm Gladwell

"None but ourselves can free our minds." — Bob Marley

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." — Dale Carnegie

"One must never let the fire go out in one's soul, but keep it burning." — Vincent van Gogh

"Learn to value yourself, which means: fight for your happiness."― Ayn Rand

"I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am." — Sylvia Plath, "The Bell Jar"

"And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb." — Kahlil Gibran

"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." — Brené Brown

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being." — Carl Jung

"To all of those like me who overschedule, overthink, overwork, over-worry, and over-everything, please know you're not alone. We don't talk enough about mental health and don't do enough to destigmatize talking about it." — Ryan Reynolds

"If you feel something calling you to dance or write or paint or sing, please refuse to worry about whether you're good enough. Just do it. Be generous. Offer a gift to the world no one else can offer: yourself." — Glennon Doyle

"It has been well said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." — Charles Spurgeon

"What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation." — Glenn Close

"By facing our challenges and overcoming them, we grow stronger, wiser, and more compassionate." — John Templeton

"I know of no other advice than this: Go within and scale the depths of your being from which your very life springs forth." — Rainer Maria Rilke

"You can either waltz boldly onto the stage of life and live the way you know your spirit is nudging you to, or you can sit quietly by the wall, receding into the shadows of fear and self doubt." — Oprah Winfrey

"We must keep moving. If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Asking for help when you're down or when you're feeling wobbly or when you're depressed is actually the most powerful thing you can do." — Dwayne Johnson

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy." — Rumi

"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth — and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up — that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." — Ernest Hemingway, "A Farewell To Arms"

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — A.A. Milne, "Winnie the Pooh"

"When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone." — Fred Rogers

"While there is life there is hope." — Jules Verne, "Journey to the Center of the Earth"

"Life doesn't get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient." — Steve Maraboli

"It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature." — Bram Stoker, "Dracula"

"The soul is stronger than its surroundings." — William James

"Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it and to fight for it." — Barack Obama

"Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life." — Eleanor Roosevelt

"For the secret of human existence lies not only in living but in knowing what to live for." — Fyodor Dostoevsky

"Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong." — Sarah Dessen

"In order for all of us to experience the full breadth of team human, we have to communicate. Talking about how you're feeling is the first step to helping yourself." — Kristen Bell

"That which seems most feeble and bewildered in you is the strongest and most determined." — Kahlil Gibran

"Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand." — Oprah Winfrey

"We live in a world where to admit anything negative about yourself is seen as a weakness, when it's actually a strength. It's not a weak move to say, 'I need help.' In the long run it's way better, because you have to fix it." — Jon Hamm

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." — Maya Angelou

Average Health Insurance Cost In 2024

How much does health insurance cost? How much is health insurance per month in 2024?

In 2024, a Silver health plan costs $584 per month on average for a 40-year-old. Rates depend on things like your age, the plan tier you choose and where you live.

For example, West Virginia residents pay $877 per month for a Silver plan on average. People in nearby Maryland pay an average of just $384 per month for the same coverage.

But most people who buy coverage from HealthCare.Gov or a state marketplace don't pay the full monthly cost for health insurance. More than 90% of health insurance plans from HealthCare.Gov or state marketplaces qualified for rate subsidies in 2023. These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health insurance. About 80% of people can get health insurance for $10 or less per month.

How much does health insurance cost monthly in my state? Compare rates

The average cost of health insurance in Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old on a Silver plan is $538 per month — up 13% from $475 in 2023.

No spam. No hassle. No hidden costs. How much did health insurance rates change for 2024?

From 2023 to 2024, health insurance rates across the nation increased by 4%. Oregon saw the largest jump, at 17%.

Including Oregon, 35 states saw their average rates increase between 2023 and 2024.

Rates dropped the most in South Dakota and Arizona, where they fell by 10% and 9%, respectively. Overall, 12 states experienced a decrease in health insurance rates.

Why is the cost of health insurance going up?

Health insurance is getting more expensive mostly because healthcare is getting more expensive.

The cost of medical care has more than doubled since 2000. More expensive medical care means health insurance companies have to pay more when you see a doctor. The companies charge higher rates to make sure they have enough to pay for your care.

How much does health insurance cost at different ages?

Health insurance costs more as you get older with the most significant increases starting when you reach your late-40s. The older you are, the more likely you are to have health problems, which makes your rate higher.

Age doesn't affect your health insurance rates in New York or Vermont. And in six states, age affects rates differently than it does in the rest of the country.

Health insurance cost by age How much does health insurance cost from different companies?

Health insurance costs between $481 and $603 per month from the biggest companies.

Most large health insurance companies have cheap rates. Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest rates, while Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has the most expensive rates. But BCBS is made up of smaller regional companies, and its rates might be cheap in your area.

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You might also find cheap health insurance from a smaller company, depending on where you live. The best way to get cheap rates is to compare quotes from different companies.

Average health insurance cost by company Average health insurance cost by plan tier

Health insurance rates range from $335 per month for a Catastrophic plan to $813 per month for a Platinum plan. Bronze plans, the best cheap option for most people, cost $462 per month on average.

Silver plans cost $584 per month on average. These plans offer the best combination of moderate rates and middle-of-the-road costs that you're responsible for. Gold plans cost $641 per month on average.

Silver plans are the middle tier, with moderate deductibles , copays and coinsurance.

Silver plans are the best choice for most people because of their middle-of-the-road costs. If you have a Silver plan and you earn a low income, you may also qualify for further subsidies, called cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). Other plan tiers aren't eligible for CSRs.

Catastrophic and Bronze plans have the cheapest monthly rates, but you'll have to pay more when you visit the doctor. These plans are best if you're young and healthy.

Gold and Platinum plans are on the high end of coverage and price. You'll pay more each month with these plans, but you won't pay as much for medical care. Gold and Platinum plans may make sense if you have an ongoing condition that requires frequent trips to the hospital.

Monthly health insurance cost by tier Average health insurance rates by plan type

Your monthly rate also depends on the plan type you choose. For example, PPOs (preferred provider organizations) tend to cost more than HMOs (health maintenance organizations). For a higher monthly rate, PPOs give you more flexibility when it comes to the doctors you see.

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HMOs tend to have lower rates. However, you can't see doctors outside of your network, and you need a referral to visit a specialist.

Monthly health insurance cost by plan type HMO $480 $512 7% EPO $507 $526 4% PPO $576 $613 7% Cost of private health insurance

Private health insurance through the ACA marketplace costs $584 per month on average for a 40-year-old with a Silver health plan. The cost of your private health insurance plan will depend on factors such as your age, plan tier, the type of insurance you choose and where you live.

Private health insurance includes plans you buy on your own, called individual health insurance, and plans through your workplace, sometimes called group health insurance.

If you're not enrolling in a government-backed plan like Medicare or Medicaid, you're buying private health insurance.

Private health plans bought through a state or federal exchange are eligible for government subsidies. These can lower your monthly rate and help you pay for other insurance costs.

Eighteen states and Washington D.C. Run their own health insurance marketplaces. If you don't have access to a state-run health exchange, you can buy a private health insurance plan through HealthCare.Gov.

States with health marketplaces

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Idaho

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

You can also buy private health insurance directly from an insurance company through an agent. Brokers also sell private health insurance directly to you. These plans are sometimes called "off-exchange" policies and include Affordable Care Act plans.

Off-exchange plans don't qualify for cost-saving subsidies. Before you buy, it's a good idea to compare on- and off-exchange plans to see which can save you more money.

Factors that impact health insurance rates

Age: Generally speaking, your health insurance rates will increase as you get older until you reach age 65 and become eligible for Medicare.

Where you live: Your rate also depends on the state and county you live in. For example, health insurance costs more than twice as much in Alaska compared to Indiana on average.

Smoking/tobacco use: Smokers may pay up to 50% more than nonsmokers in some states.

Number of people covered: Health insurance costs increase as you add more people to your plan. For example, coverage for a family of three typically costs more than coverage for a single person.

Your plan tier and whether you have an HMO or a PPO also impact your monthly rate.

The Best Health Insurance In Oklahoma Of 2024

Platinum Plans: Good for People Who Need Regular Healthcare

Platinum plans are the most expensive ACA marketplace plans and they're also the hardest to find. Less than 10% of ACA plans are platinum plans, so there's a good chance you might not even have the option.

If a health insurance company in your area offers platinum plans, these types of plans may work for you if you need regular healthcare and several expensive prescriptions. Platinum plans have low health insurance deductibles and coinsurance, so you pay lower amounts when you get healthcare. But they also have the highest premiums, so you pay the most to have coverage each month.

Gold Plans: Good for People Who Need Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs

Gold plans have lower out-of-pocket costs than silver or bronze plans, but they come with higher health insurance premiums. If you expect to get regular healthcare, a gold plan could be a smart option since you will pay less when you receive care compared to a silver or bronze plan.

You'll want to weigh the cost of premiums with out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance and deductibles when you're choosing an ACA plan.

Silver Plans: Good for People Who Want to Balance Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs

If you want to avoid very high deductibles but also don't want to pay high premiums, a silver plan might be a savvy choice. Silver plans have lower out-of-pocket costs than bronze plans and lower premiums than platinum and gold plans, which make them a good compromise.

Silver and bronze plans are the most common ACA plans offered, so you shouldn't have an issue getting a silver plan in your area.

Bronze Plans: Good for People Who Need the Lowest Premiums

Bronze plans are a top option if you don't use healthcare often and want the cheapest monthly premium payment. The drawback is that bronze plans have higher out-of-pocket costs when you go to the doctor or get prescriptions.

If you need the cheapest health plans that still offer comprehensive coverage, a bronze plan could be the best choice.

Some health insurance companies also sell "expanded bronze" plans. These plans have higher coinsurance levels for in-network costs (up to 65%) than standard bronze plans (average of 60%).

More: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Health Insurance

Catastrophic Plans: Good for Young People Who Don't Often Need Healthcare

The ACA marketplace offers catastrophic health insurance to people under age 30 and those who have severe economic issues like homelessness. If you're eligible for a catastrophic plan, you may like the low monthly premium but watch out for the high out-of-pocket costs.

One thing that makes catastrophic plans different from other options is that they don't have coinsurance. Instead, you'll have to deal with an extremely high deductible when you get medical care. Once you've spent that deductible amount on healthcare, a catastrophic plan pays the rest of your in-network healthcare costs for the year.

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