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The top 4 questions to ask before open enrollment

The top 4 questions to ask before open enrollment

Does open enrollment bring up feelings of confusion or anxiety? By reviewing your past and current healthcare needs, you can create clarity around what health plan is right for you this year. And, you might even find ways to save money!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Is my current plan still offered? Has it been updated?

Sometimes health plans change. If yours has, consider:

  • What exactly has changed?
  • Do these changes still fit you and your family’s needs, or would another plan be better?

If your plan hasn't changed, think over:

  • What features did you like about the plan you had?
  • Was there anything about the plan you didn't like?

Answering these questions thoughtfully will help you decide which plan would be best for the coming year.

Have my circumstances changed, or am I planning a life event?

This past year may have shifted things for you, or there may be things you’re planning for in the year ahead, such as:

  • Being diagnosed with a chronic condition. You may require monitoring, testing, or ongoing care. If so, check your current plan to see what it offers for your new needs.
  • Plans to have a baby. This means frequent doctor visits, testing, and a hospital stay. Be sure to consider your maternity care options carefully.
  • Elective or non-elective surgery. If you’ve already chosen your surgeon, make sure they’re in-network. Remember that depending on your plan, copayments and coinsurance are often higher for specialists. If possible, consider your surgery costs (which may include a hospital stay) and your plan’s deductible.

Have I had an increase in prescription medications?

An increase in prescription medications can add up. What’s a simple way to figure out how much you need?

  • Look at how many prescriptions you filled in the past year and how much they cost.

  • Now, think about how many you may need this coming year and then see if the health plan you are considering covers those prescription drugs and their cost.

This is a simple example of how open enrollment can work to your advantage.

Can I save money by making a plan change?

We’ve been looking at cutting costs in different ways already, but let’s make sure we cover every opportunity:

  • Did you have several office visits this past year but never reached your deductible? If so, you could choose a plan with a lower deductible this year, assuming you’ll need the same level of care. This means you may reach your deductible and have other costs covered sooner.
  • On the other hand, high-deductible, low-premium plans can help some individuals and families save on overall costs. Do you expect doctor visits to be rare? If so, a lower monthly premium could make sense for you. You’d just need to factor in that if you have an emergency, you’d have a higher deductible to fulfill.
  • What were your copays? Lower copays are great if you anticipate going to doctors or specialists often, because those costs will add up.

Next steps

Listing your past and current needs is a great way to take care of your health and finances. Want some action steps to keep you moving? Check out this list of simple steps to prepare for open enrollment. And if you find healthcare plan terms even a little confusing, take a little time to review some basic health plan terminology.