AI has changed how we sort through information: It can help you plan a trip or explain a complex topic. It can also be a useful tool when it comes to choosing a health insurance plan. AI can help you summarize dense plan documents, build comparison tables and flag questions you might not think to ask.
But it’s important to remember that AI can get things wrong. It’s a helpful starting point, not a final answer. Free human help, such as a licensed insurance agent or Marketplace navigator, can help you before you enroll.1 Here are 7 useful AI prompts to try as you choose a health insurance plan, and guidelines to keep in mind.
Before you start: Steps that may improve AI answers
The way you ask your question, or “prompt,” an AI tool changes the answers you get back. A few small habits can help make results more useful:2
Give the AI a role to play. You might say “act as an insurance navigator” or “act as a health insurance benefits counselor.” This is called a persona prompt, and it can shape the tone and focus of the response.3
Be specific about your situation. Include details like your budget, your prescription medicines and how often you expect to see a doctor. The more context you give, the more useful the comparison will be.
Don’t settle for the first answer. If a response feels too general, ask a follow-up question or request more detail. You can also ask the AI to explain its reasoning, which can help you spot gaps in the comparison.
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What to leave out when you’re using AI
Some information should stay out of an AI chat altogether. Federal guidance advises against sharing personal or sensitive information with online chatbots.4
In practice, that means leaving out your full name, exact policy numbers and home address when you paste in plan details. You can usually get the same helpful comparison by removing or replacing that kind of information first.
Why you still need to verify before you enroll
AI tools can be a fast way to organize information, but they can also get things wrong or rely on outdated data. Before you enroll in a plan, verify the details yourself.
Confirm your preferred doctors are in-network, check that your prescriptions are covered and review the exact premium directly with the insurance company or on the official enrollment site.5
Know that free human help is always available
AI can’t replace a real conversation with a person. Free human help is available too, and you don’t have to pay out of pocket for it.
A licensed insurance agent or broker can help you compare plans and enroll. They’re typically paid by the insurance company, not by you, so their help doesn’t cost you anything extra.1
You can also find free help through a Marketplace navigator or certified enrollment counselor. They can walk you through your options and the enrollment process.1
Be cautious of anyone who is demanding payment for enrollment help. That’s a red flag and you should stop there and explore a reliable free option instead.
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7 AI prompts to try when comparing plans
Keeping the above guidelines in mind, the following AI prompts can help you compare insurance plans. You can paste in plan details, summaries or policy text alongside each one.
1. “Compare these health insurance plans for my healthcare needs.”
Paste in details about your medical needs, prescriptions and budget to get a side-by-side comparison.
A helpful answer often comes back as a table. Look for rows like premium, deductible and prescription coverage lined up for each plan.
2. “Estimate my total healthcare costs under each of these plans.”
This should prompt the AI to factor in deductibles, copays, coinsurance and how often you expect to use care.
If it doesn’t, ask for these factors directly. You can also add a rough number of doctor visits or prescriptions you expect this year.
You might ask: “Act as an insurance navigator. Compare Plan A and Plan B. If I have 4 routine doctor visits and 1 minor outpatient procedure this year, which plan results in lower total costs?” Paste in the specific details for each plan. This gives the AI a clear scenario to work from, instead of a general question.
For a more accurate estimate on prescription cost, check each plan’s drug list to see the tiers and costs for your prescription medications. Include that detail in your prompt, since AI can’t look up a current drug formulary on its own.
3. “What questions should I ask before choosing between these plans?”
This can help surface gaps or details you might not have thought to check. Expect a list back. Questions might include:
4. “Explain the differences between these health insurance terms.”
Some plan documents may be hard to understand. This prompt can help translate dense language into plain terms. Try naming the specific terms you’re stuck on. For example, try asking:
- What is the difference between a copayment and coinsurance?
- How does in-network coverage differ from out-of-network coverage?
- What is a prescription drug formulary?
5. “What information should I verify before I enroll?”
This can prompt the AI to remind you to confirm details like provider networks, prescription coverage and costs directly with the insurance company.
A good answer should point you toward where to check each one on the insurance company’s website, like the plan’s provider directory or drug formulary, instead of just listing what to verify.
6. “Read this plan’s policy text and list any major exclusions, coverage caps or gaps.”
This can help you spot missing benefits, like maternity or mental health coverage, before you commit. Ask the AI to quote the exact section where it found each exclusion. That way, you can double check the wording yourself.
7. “Based on my situation, would a short term health insurance plan, an ACA health insurance plan or an extended short term health insurance plan fit my needs?”
This can help you narrow down which type of coverage fits your timeline, care preferences and budget.
If you only need temporary coverage, include how long you expect to need it. That’s often a deciding factor when it comes to short term health insurance options, which do not include all the essential health benefits, are subject to medical underwriting and do not meet all federal requirements to qualify as “minimum essential coverage.”
Remember that AI tools can help you compare plans, but it works best as a starting point. The choice of coverage, and the responsibility for double-checking the details, is still yours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use AI to compare health insurance plans?
AI can help organize plan details into a format that is easier to review. For example, you can paste information from several plans and ask the AI to create a side-by-side table showing deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums. This can save time and help you spot differences between plans. However, always verify costs, provider networks and prescription coverage with the insurance company before you enroll, since AI tools can make mistakes or use outdated information.
Is it safe to paste my medical history into an AI chatbot?
No. You should remove identifying details first. Some AI chatbots may store or use your conversations, depending on their privacy policies. Federal guidance advises against sharing personal or sensitive information with them. Before you paste in any plan details, take out your full name, address and policy numbers. You can still get a useful comparison without that information.
Can I rely 100% on AI to pick my final plan?
No. AI tools can be wrong. They can also rely on outdated information. Use AI as a fast research assistant. It can help you organize plan details and spot questions worth asking. But always verify doctor networks, prescription coverage and exact premiums with the insurance company. You can also check these directly on the official enrollment site.
Can AI tell me if my doctor is in-network?
No. An AI tool can’t check a live provider directory for you. It can help you organize a list of your doctors to check. It can also explain how provider networks generally work. But you’ll still need to confirm network status yourself. Check directly with the insurance company or through their official provider search tool before you enroll.
Have questions about health insurance plans? Call 1-844-211-7730 to speak with a licensed insurance agent or explore options online.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov. “Get help applying for health insurance.” Accessed July 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/get-help-applying/
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries. “Prompt engineering.” Updated July 23, 2026. Retrieved from https://guides.lib.unc.edu/GenAI/prompts
- Vanderbilt University. “Prompt patterns.” Accessed July 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.vanderbilt.edu/generative-ai/prompt-patterns/
- U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. “Brochure: Artificial intelligence and scams.” Accessed July 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fraud_brochure__english1.pdf
- HealthCare.gov. “3 things to know before you pick a health insurance plan.” Accessed July 28, 2026. Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/
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