Open Enrollment Checklist
With the induction of the Affordable Care Act all individuals are required to have health insurance, with a few exceptions.* The following is a list of things you may do to ensure you are ready for the Open Enrollment Period:
- Educate yourself on the different types of health plans being offered (through an employer or insurance carrier).
- To get started, watch these videos:
- Find out if your employer will offer coverage or if you need to purchase an individual health insurance plan.
- Are you under the age of 26? If so, you may be able to stay on a parent's health plan until your 26th birthday. Speak with your parents about your options.
- Understand how deductibles, copayments and coinsurance work.
- Gather information on your household income—you may qualify for a subsidy or cost-sharing reduction.
- Set your budget. Larger premiums usually mean lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, office visits and procedures, and vice versa. How much you can afford for a premium, out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles, coinsurance and copayments are all important considerations when selecting the health plan that best fits you and your family's needs.
*Please visit healthcare.gov to find out if you may be excluded from the health insurance requirement.
