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Rose's answer is spot on when it comes to employer coverage. I was formerly a health insurance agent, and there are also options outside of your job. One thing to keep in mind is that your benefits package can vary drastically from employer to employer. Some are honestly incredible, while others just flat out don't make sense. The most important thing is to first get a copy of your benefits package so you can see all of the available plan tiers with the pricing laid out. For the most part, health insurance works the same across the board. You'll have copays for everyday services, a deductible and maximum out-of-pocket for larger claims, and then your network (HMO = smaller, more limited network, PPO = broader, nationwide coverage). Once you have that information, you can compare it with both Marketplace and private insurance options. A few things to note: Marketplace (ACA) is the state's public health insurance exchange. You'll need to provide proof of legal residency, such as a Social Security number, valid work authorization, etc. Marketplace plans can be expensive, and the provider networks are usually smaller unless you pay more for the higher-tier plans. One important caveat: Depending on your household income, you may qualify for a subsidy (discount). However, if you're offered health insurance through your employer and the Marketplace determines that it's "affordable" based on your income, you generally won't qualify for that subsidy. The last option is private insurance. Private insurance has nothing to do with your income, and it also doesn't care whether your employer offers coverage. The primary factor is your health history. These plans go through underwriting, where the insurance company decides whether to approve or decline the application. The good thing in your situation is that most of your medical history is in Canada, so underwriting may be fairly straightforward if they don't have much U.S. medical history to review. Generally speaking, private plans cost less than Marketplace plans without a subsidy and typically come with nationwide PPO coverage just be careful as these plans alot of times don't cover certain pre-existing conditions as well as services like mental health, drug and alcohol therapy, or pregnancy Feel free to browse this website. They do a side-by-side comparison of both private and Marketplace plans available. https://affordableprivatehealth.com/