Key insurance terms that start with "N"

A federal law that protects you from surprise medical bills and balance billing from out-of-network providers in emergency situations. The law requires providers to give you a Good Faith Estimate of costs before non-emergency care, and limits surprise bills in most situations.

A health insurance plan with fewer doctors and hospitals in its network than typical plans. Narrow networks help keep premiums lower because the insurance company negotiates with fewer providers. Using out-of-network providers costs more.

A doctor or health care provider who has a contract with your insurance plan but is not designated as a preferred provider. Non-preferred providers may charge higher copays or coinsurance than preferred providers. You may need to pay higher out-of-pocket costs to use non-preferred providers.

The group of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that have contracted with your insurance plan to provide services at negotiated rates. Using in-network providers costs less than using out-of-network providers. You can view your plan's network in the provider directory.

A trained counselor funded by the government to help people understand health insurance options and enroll in plans. Navigators provide free, unbiased assistance and can help you understand your rights and appeals processes. You can find a navigator in your area through Healthcare.gov.