How do you shop around for health insurance?

I’m located in California. Since I rarely use this account for sensitive questions, I’d like to ask 2 health insurance questions in one go. I’ve bolded the main questions. Any other comments or suggestions are welcome.

When you shop around for insurance, do you just look the information up online or do you call each insurance provider and ask them specific questions?

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The Wife Situation –

What is the best pregnancy insurance you can recommend in California? Monthly cost wise what can we expect?

I have Blue Shield PPO (80?) insurance through work, it fully covers me and it’s good but pricey. I never had insurance prior to this company. If I were to add any family members, an additional person would cost around 800-1000/mo. I alone make more than would be allowed for subsidies, but only by a bit, and often have unexpected expenses due to a business on the side.

Today I received the amazing news that my wife is pregnant after a year of trying but her most recent job fell through (inconsistent payments). So she does not have health insurance nor a job at this moment.

She wants to do a homebirth, and that has my emotions wrecked with fear. I understand where she’s coming from, but I want to prepare with health insurance and be responsible. Since it’s currently open enrollment, the timing worked out.

Since “cash” birthing costs can range between 10-15k, it’s a no brainer for me to get coverage, and the peace of mind, but saving some money would be nice.

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The Father Situation –

Is there dental insurance that covers dental implants? Monthly costs expected?

No insurance, qualifies for medical but someone keeps messing the insurance paperwork half way through the process on the public sector side. From swapping birthdates to other BS. So they cancelled and tried to set it up more than twice with same issues. I’ve even been there to help them to make sure it’s done right, but still issues.

He needs dental implants, badly… he basically has only a few front teeth left. We paid out of pocket to get 1 implant done in the past, but now that he needs basically a full mouth of implants, we’re considering the All on 4 or All on 6 dental implants. Paying out of pocket would cost somewhere around 32k? Seeing if there’s a dental insurance plan we can get to assist with this.

We considered traveling for the dental work, but it makes me nervous, plus would require several trips negating the savings and only exposing his health to potential issues.

Big reason he hasn’t pushed medical again is because he’s scared of the implant procedure and hates doc visits. Plus, we don’t understand whether it will actually cover anything of this sort. Breaks my heart, as he’s self conscious about it and I see him struggling.