Knowing Your Open Enrollment Options In 2018

Here are some important reminders to help guide you through the 2018 Open Enrollment process.

You may have recently received a letter from your health insurance carrier about the 2018 year. If the letter was confusing, don’t worry—a licensed Benefits Counselor will help you navigate your health insurance elections for the 2018 coverage year.

Need To Know For Open Enrollment 2018

Unlike years past, this year the Open Enrollment period lasts from a start date of November 1, 2017, and ends on December 15, 2017.

In order to obtain coverage on January 1, 2018, you must apply by the December 15, 2017, Open Enrollment deadline.

Plans and pricing will be available for review on November 1, 2017. We recommend that you evaluate your health insurance options every year in order to ensure that you are still receiving the benefits you need.

Open Enrollment Is The Time For Changes

Open Enrollment is the time to make changes to your current plan.

If you are currently enrolled in a health insurance plan from the exchange, it may automatically renew if it is still available in your area. However, it is still important to review the details of your current plan, as providers may have made important changes that will be implemented for the 2018 coverage year.

If you have received a notice notifying you of upcoming changes to your plan, it is important to take the time to read it and determine what these changes could mean for you and your family. Be sure to check that your preferred doctors and hospitals will still be considered in-network. It is important to note that in some cases, you may not be covered at all should you receive care out-of-network.

It is possible that your prescription drug coverage could also change with the new year. Your plan may no longer cover the essential medications you, or your dependents, require in order to manage chronic conditions. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you review your existing plan’s drug benefits for 2018 before you allow it to renew.

Enroll Now Or Wait Until Next Year

So, what happens if you miss the Open Enrollment deadline? In the event that you miss the Open Enrollment cut-off date and still find yourself without insurance, you may be forced to wait another year until the next Open Enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

A Special Enrollment Period can be classified as a divorce, marriage, birth or adoption of a child, death of a spouse or a partner that leaves you without health insurance, your spouse or partner who has you covered loses his/her job and health insurance, you lose your job and with it your health insurance, your hours are cut making you ineligible for your employer’s health insurance plan, or you are in an HMO and move outside its designated coverage area.

In order to avoid paying a penalty on your taxes, you must have health insurance as per the Affordable Care Act.

Applying For 2018 Coverage

When you are ready to apply, make sure you have the details of your current plan, payment information, and any dependent information (social security number, birth date, etc.) on hand to make the application process easier.

You and your family have access to a wide range of health coverage from leading providers. Visit the health insurance page to browse plans, review enrollment options, or schedule a benefits counselor appointment.