Priya Nandakumar
Health insurance, claims, deductibles, and the math of what you actually pay
Austin, TX
Priya Nandakumar covers health insurance and the mechanics of coverage for PolicyNest. With a background in health-policy analysis, she loves turning confusing benefit tables — deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums — into plain numbers you can actually compare. Her guides answer the only question that matters: what will this cost me when I actually use it?
What Priya covers
- HMO vs PPO vs EPO and how networks work
- Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket max
- Estimating your true annual cost of a plan
- How to file a claim and appeal a denial
- Insurance fundamentals: premiums, limits, and how it all fits together
Articles by Priya
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Medicare Enrollment Windows & Late Penalties Explained
Understand Medicare's three enrollment periods, when you must sign up, and what late enrollment penalties actually cost over your lifetime.
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HSA vs FSA: What Is the Difference? (2026 Rules & Limits)
HSA and FSA both cut your taxes, but only one lets you invest and keep the balance forever. Here's how they differ, which tax breaks you get, and when you can use both.
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HSA vs FSA: Which Is Better for Your Medical Costs?
HSA or FSA? The answer depends on your health plan, expected medical costs, and ability to absorb high deductibles. Here's when each account makes sense.
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Life Insurance for Seniors Over 65: How to Get Coverage
How seniors over 65 can get life insurance, including guaranteed issue, burial insurance, and underwritten policies—with real premium ranges and trade-offs.
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Medical Gap Insurance and Medigap Coverage: What They Fill
Medigap covers Medicare deductibles and coinsurance but not dental, vision, or drugs. Real premium ranges by age, what's still excluded, and when it's worth it.
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When You Need Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
AD&D insurance is cheap but covers only ~12% of deaths. Learn when adding this coverage makes sense and when you're better off without it.
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HSA vs FSA: How to Choose for Tax Savings
HSAs and FSAs both cut your taxes, but which saves you more money? We compare deductible costs, rollover rules, and real scenarios to help you choose.
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Elimination Period vs Benefit Period: What's the Difference?
Elimination period controls when disability benefits start; benefit period controls how long they last. Here's how they work together and what they cost.
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What If You Cancel Your Health Insurance Mid-Year?
The federal penalty is $0, but subsidy clawback and uninsured gaps are real. Here's what happens when you cancel mid-year and what it costs.
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Do You Need Flood Insurance and What Does It Cost?
Flood insurance isn't always required, but costs $300–$3,500/year depending on your zone. Here's how to decide if you need it and what you'll actually pay.
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How to Appeal an Insurance Claim Denial in 5 Steps
Learn how to challenge an insurance denial with step-by-step appeal instructions, timelines, and sample letter language that cites policy terms.
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Cancer Insurance as a Separate Policy: Worth It?
Cancer insurance pays a lump sum at diagnosis, but costs $3,600+ over 20 years. Whether it's worth it depends on your health plan's out-of-pocket maximum.
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AARP Medicare Supplement Plans Compared
All Plan Gs are identical by law—AARP charges $200–290/month while competitors quote $190–260. We compared rates in Florida, New York, and Texas.
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Is Vision Insurance Worth Buying? The Math Behind the Decision
Vision insurance costs $80–$200/year but only saves money if your annual eye costs exceed premiums plus copays. Here's when the math works and when it doesn't.
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Life Insurance for Stay-at-Home Parents: Coverage Guide
How much life insurance a non-working spouse needs, what it costs, and how to calculate coverage based on actual household labor replacement costs.
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Critical Illness Insurance Explained: What It Covers & Costs
Critical illness insurance pays you a lump sum if you're diagnosed with cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Here's what it covers, what it costs, and whether you need it.
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When to Buy Long-Term Care Insurance: Age & Cost Guide
Learn the optimal age to buy long-term care insurance, real premium costs by age and gender, and when to skip it. Includes qualification windows and alternatives.
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How Much Disability Insurance Do You Need: 5-Step Calculator
Calculate your disability insurance coverage using the 50-70% income rule, existing benefits, and your monthly expenses. Step-by-step guide with worked examples.
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Dental Insurance vs Paying Out of Pocket: Cost Comparison
Compare dental insurance premiums and coverage limits against out-of-pocket costs for cleanings, fillings, crowns, and major work. Break-even math and decision scenarios.
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Premium, Deductible, Copay Explained: What You Actually Pay
Confused by premium vs deductible vs copay? Here's what each insurance term means, how they work together, and what you'll actually pay when you use your health plan.
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HMO vs PPO vs EPO: Which Plan Fits Your Budget and Care Needs?
Compare HMO, PPO, and EPO health plans side-by-side: real 2024 premiums, deductibles, referral rules, and total annual costs. See which fits your care style and budget.
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How to File an Insurance Claim in 6 Clear Steps
Learn how to file an insurance claim step by step, what documents you need, and what to do if your claim is denied. Plain-English guide for auto, home, and health claims.
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What Is a Deductible in Health Insurance? (And Why It Matters)
A deductible is the amount you pay before insurance covers its share. Here's how it works, what counts toward it, and how it stacks up against copays and out-of-pocket