Submitted by Tyler Wood, Licensed Insurance Agent
Ahh, fall! Sweater weather, football, pumpkin spice lattes and…Open Enrollment. I know what you’re thinking. The last thing you want to worry about this season is your health insurance.
Whether you have group coverage through your employer, individual coverage through the ACA Marketplace, or are on Medicare, fall is the traditional Open Enrollment period — a time to review your coverage and consider any changes that need to be made.
“Am I still on the right plan?” “Will my doctors be in-network in the coming year?” “Will my medications continue to be covered?” “Will the quality of my coverage change?” “How much is my premium going up?“
These are valid questions and can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed.
It can be tempting to avoid the process altogether and pass on this opportunity to annually review your current coverage and consider whether it still meets your needs. As an insurance agent, one of the core facets of my job is to serve as a guide through Open Enrollment.
If you’ve ever been whitewater rafting, you know that each raft has an experienced river guide to help your crew navigate through the rocks, rapids, twists and turns in order to ensure a fun, safe trip. Without that experienced guide, your whitewater adventure could quickly get out of control, chaotic and even dangerous.
Consider us agents your “river guides” through Open Enrollment. We are here to simplify the process and navigate the season with you. We can help you understand your current coverage, explain the way your plan may be changing in the coming year, answer your questions and ensure your needs are still being met.
The other side of that coin is we are also here to help you explore other coverage options available that may serve your needs (and your budget) better. I often talk with folks in our area who tell me when they were aging into Medicare or seeking coverage on their own for the first time, they were truly overwhelmed with choosing a plan option for themselves.
Some made their best guess and hoped it worked out. Some called a 1-800 number and enrolled through a call center. Some spent hours searching terms and options on Google. Some even threw up their hands and said, “forget it!” walking away without coverage altogether.
As Open Enrollment approaches, don’t let this opportunity to better understand your coverage pass by. Find a local agent you can trust to serve as your “river guide,” ensuring the coverage you choose for the upcoming year fits your needs and your budget. Your agent can help you to understand the plan options available to you and how to take full advantage of the benefits they offer.
Find an agent who will be available not just during Open Enrollment but year-round to help with any questions or issues that arise (as opposed to calling “1-800-customer service.”)
This fall, among the Friday night kickoffs and falling leaves and pumpkin-picking, may Open Enrollment be an opportunity for you rather than a burden.
Sponsored by Tyler Wood, HealthMarkets Insurance Insurance Agency. For more information he can be reached at tyler.wood@HealthMarkets.com.
