HMO, PPO, FSA – OMG!
Enrollment season is upon us, and it’s time to sign up for a health plan for the next calendar year. But between that alphabet soup of acronyms and all that difficult data sheets, it’s hard to figure out which option to choose.
Although we know that this quest is not as interesting as spooky szn or everything with pumpkin spice, that’s important to your health (and will serve you a lot longer than that polyester Halloween costume).
The good news: Life Kit has expert advice to help eliminate the scary stuff in the process. Below is a summary of things to keep in mind as you make your decision.
Read a summary of your plan’s benefits
The first step is knowing what’s in your health plan, Tasha Carter, insurance consumer advocate for the state of Florida. “Many consumers don’t take advantage of the benefits their health insurance policy offers simply because they didn’t know they existed – or even worse, they had to pay out of pocket for those benefits. costs could have been covered.”
So even though you’ve had the same plan for years, take a moment to go through your plan’s latest benefits summary. “Typically, insurance companies make changes to benefits, so you want to make sure you understand what those changes are and how they might affect you,” says Carter. your health. Listen to our episode on How to maximize your health coverage here.
Get to know your medical needs from a doctor you trust
That can dictate what kind of health insurance you might need next year. “Ideally having someone who follows you for years, is invaluable in helping you make decisions” about your health care – and therefore your insurance plan, pediatrician says Dr. Nicole Rochester.
And make sure your preferred primary care doctor and prescription drugs still covered by your insuranceAaron DeLaO, formerly director of health initiatives at the nonprofit Foundation Communities, said. If not, he says, you should “get rid of it” and “find a plan to cover those things.”
Explain the term health insurance
Learn what common health insurance terms like “CHIP,” “cost-sharing,” and “deductible” mean. It can help you better understand what signing up for a plan can mean for your budget and your health. Read our helpful glossary here.
Take advantage of free software…
Even if you have a simple plan with high deductibles, screenings and other preventive care should be included in your insuranceCarter, insurance consumer advocate said. That includes screening for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure. For what you may need in the coming months, check out this section list of recommended screenings by age compiled by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
… and perks
Another advantage of carefully reading your insurance plan? You can Discover useful benefits. For example, your insurance company may offer discounts on your local gym membership or services that improve your quality of life, like LASIK surgery or a massage.
Digital Stories edited by Malaka Gharib. We would love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823or email us at [email protected].
