ACA Open Enrollment

ACA Open Enrollment begins in October 2013 and continues until March 2014.

If you currently don’t have access to health insurance, or are using a plan that currently doesn’t fit your needs, you have the next several months to find one that  does.

Open Enrollment

During the open enrollment period, you’ll be able to shop around for health insurance.  You can even consider health insurance marketplace based plans, even if you’ve got insurance through your employer.  If you’ve got a high deductible plan, with a high co-insurance, that doesn’t cover all your medications like mine does, this gives you an opportunity to go out and find a better plan that what you currently have.  It never hurts to shop around to get the best product for the best price, based upon your specific needs.

Back in September, I wrote a follow-on blog to the Doctors and Insurance Webinar Series, that highlighted the different types of health insurance plans currently available.  I recommend reviewing them as well as pulling together your list of questions.

Additional Questions you can ask the Health Insurance Brokers:

  • Can I get a health insurance plan without maternity care?  This question might be of value to women past childbearing age who have no need for maternity care.
  • Do you have plans specifically geared to support Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes?  Are there rewards for effective management of the disease at the end of the plan year, that will translate to lower premiums?
  • Do you have plans specifically geared to support management of High Cholesterol or Cardiovascular Disease? Are there rewards for effective management of the disease at the end of the plan year, that will translate to lower premiums?
  • If I’ve had cancer & I’m in remission, are their plans geared to help me continue to manage that disease and stay in remission?
  • Do any plans cover management of unique sensitivities, such as chemical sensitivities or electromagnetic sensitivity?
  • Do your plans cover for speech therapy or alternative treatments for speech therapy?

Always ask questions that are pertinent to you give situation.  You may discover you can find health insurance that will meet your needs.   Additionally, be aware of any additional out of pocket expenses that you may incur, and determine if you can financially afford those expenses.  Finally, if you choose a high deductible plan, make sure you enroll setup a health savings account, and pay yourself first, just like you would with your 401K.

Gretchen

References:

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/open-enrollment-period/
https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-i-have-job-based-health-insurance/