For the last week or so I’ve been receiving email and text messages about open enrollment for Health Care. Between November 15 and December 15 we have the opportunity to make changes to our health care plans for the 2015 coverage year. You might be wondering why you’d want to change? Perhaps the health care plan you had for 2014 was just fine; but there are those for whom life has changed over the past year, or who may have decided that the coverages are too much or too little for their needs.
An AC Financial Adviser can help you make the best choice for your health care coverage, and help you wade through the options to make sure you are getting not only the coverage you need, but at the price you can afford.
All healthcare plans are required to provide what are known as the 10 essential benefits, including: ambulatory or outpatient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care for children. With that in mind and the fact that you cannot be turned down for healthcare coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition, it can still be daunting to decide which plan is best.
If over the last year you opted for a Gold or Platinum plan that allowed for a higher number of doctor visits and regular prescriptions, but you didn’t use them, you may want to switch plans to a Silver or Bronze plan that costs less per month, but also pays less of your costs per visit to the physician office. If you’re under 30 years old and don’t take prescription medications or visit your physician often, a Catastrophic plan might be your best option.
On the other hand, if your circumstances have changed, you’ve developed a chronic illness or have needed more physician care than you anticipated in 2014, you may also need to change plans. There are any number of reasons why you may need to look at plan options during this open enrollment month; but don’t wait. Call an AC Financial Adviser at (800) 564-3136 to make sure your health care plan is the right one for 2015.
