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We all want good health, for ourselves and for our families. That’s why many of life’s most important choices are centered around how we achieve health or improve our wellness. Part of this process is ensuring a foundation, which be achieved by choosing the right health plan that’s both affordable and help you achieve your goals.
Now is the time make sure your foundation is solid, giving you and your family peace of mind heading into the new year.
The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) open enrollment for health insurance begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15, for coverage that starts in the New Year. To ensure you have coverage in 2023, it’s important to start looking now for a plan that meets your needs and your budget.
A couple of things to remember when shopping for a benefits plan. First, there are many options available at various price points, so make sure you take time to find a plan that is right for you. Second, you don’t have to go it alone. There is plenty of assistance available, from navigators to brokers to your current or prospective insurance carrier, all ready to assist you.
Taking the time to understand your health insurance options can help create a path to better health and wellness, and potentially save you thousands of dollars. These plans cover essential benefits, including emergency services, prescription drugs and pediatric services.
Also, it’s important to remember health plans offer zero-dollar preventive health. This means consumers pay nothing for important services such as mammograms, colonoscopies and regular check-ups. This is critical because many potentially life-threatening, not to mention expensive health can often be prevented or managed through these early detection screenings.
Before you start to shop and compare, there are a few things you should pay close attention to. It could be that your current plan will not be offered next year. Even if your current insurance carrier continues to offer ACA plans, offerings can change from year to year, which is another reason to really take time to understand all of your options.
Further, the federal public health emergency, which extended eligibility for Medi-Cal health plans (California’s Medicaid plans), is expected to an end sometime in 2023. Those who lose eligibility for Medi-Cal will need continued coverage and an ACA individual plan could fulfill that need.
If you think selecting a health plan can feel like a daunting task, please don’t let that stop you from choosing health coverage. Help is out there.
HealthCare.gov is a great resource that with information about the ACA and how you can be prepared to choose a plan. The ACA uses metal levels (Gold, Silver and Bronze) to categorize plans based on pricing levels, with Gold being the richest and Bronze the more affordable plans. Here in the Golden State, Covered California is the state’s marketplace for comparing and selecting an individual health plan when enrollment begins. This is the place to compare all plan options in the county where you live. And you can always reach out to your current insurer, or prospective insurer for guidance before deciding.
With the cost of food, gas and utilities rising, many Americans are feeling financial pressure, forcing them to make tough decisions. Choosing to forgo health coverage should not be one of them. Don’t assume health insurance will add financial pressure because costs for a health plan may be more affordable than you think—and it will likely save you more money in the long run.
The recent Inflation Reduction Act enhanced federal subsidies through 2025 to help keep costs down for those buying plans on the health exchange, making high quality plans very affordable. And if you haven’t qualified previously for a subsidy, check again as parameters and circumstances have changed.
And if your current health plan is no longer an option in 2023, please know you still have other options. As we have been for the last 85 years, Anthem Blue Cross is here to help answer any questions you might have about choosing the best plan for you.
You can’t build your healthcare future without a strong foundation; act now and take control of your health.
