The Health Clarity Project

Health Insurance: Decoded

Plain-English explanations of EOBs, deductibles, copays, and every confusing line on your medical bill, so you always know what you owe, and why.

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A real scenario: EOB Says One Thing, Your Bill Says Another

Explanation of Benefits

Billed$1,240

Plan paid$1,240

Patient responsibility

Medical Bill

Billed$1,240

Plan Paid$920

Amount due

$320

Both can be. An EOB isn't a bill. It can be confusing because your EOB and medical bill serve two different purposes. Your EOB shows how your insurance processed the claim, while your provider's bill shows what they're asking you to pay. If the numbers don't match, don't panic. Some steps to take would be to understand if you met your deductible, and request an itemized bill so you can check exactly what you were charged for. In any case, always compare your EOB to your bill before paying.

Glossary

Four words insurance companies assume you already know.

Tap a term to learn more.

Copay

A fixed amount you pay each time you get a specific service.

In practice: If your copay is $25, you pay $25 each time you visit your provider.

The guide

Understanding Medical Bills

A no-jargon walkthrough of how health insurance actually works, built for anyone who's ever stared at a bill and thought "this doesn't make sense".

Translate the core terms : copay, deductible, coinsurance, and everything else your plan assumes you already know.
Read a bill and an EOB side by side and understand the difference.
Recognize common CPT codes that show up on statements and claims.
Includes a personal organizer to track your important healthcare information.

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Helpful explanations

Short, plain-English breakdowns of the parts of healthcare no one ever explains.

Got a surprise medical bill?

Here's why it happens

You've met your deductible. So why are you still paying?

It could be coinsurance

What is a copay?

30-second breakdown

My insurance says I owe $0. My bill says $320.

Which one is right?

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Have a question we haven't covered?

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Why this exists

Healthcare is confusing, but we're here to simplify those confusing parts for you and make it more understandable, one explanation at a time.