Open enrollment is nearing its close for 2023 plan options \u2013 and it\u2019s important to enroll as soon as possible to secure health coverage in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open enrollment is the period when you can sign up for, make changes to, or cancel a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA marketplace offers affordable plans to Americans who do not receive health insurance through their employer. It can be accessed at healthcare.gov<\/a> beginning on Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 15, 2023. There are benefits to signing up early \u2013 those who enroll before Dec. 15 will have coverage effective Jan. 1, 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to take action during this timeframe because if you miss the open enrollment period, federal policy mandates you can\u2019t get coverage until the following year, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most health insurers in the United States use open enrollment programs that restrict enrollments to a specific time of year, but exceptions exist. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open enrollment periods encourage people with varying health needs to sign up for insurance. This diverse pool of enrollees \u2013 both healthy and those requiring medical attention \u2013 reduces copays and premiums, which ultimately benefits everyone who is covered under an insurance plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of health insurance like car or homeowners\u2019 insurance. Enrollees must buy into the insurance before an accident occurs. The system would simply be unstainable if everyone only bought insurance when something needed to be covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are many kinds of enrollment plans, there are three main types of healthcare plans<\/a>: preferred provider organizations (PPOs), health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and high deductible health plans (HDHPs).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Preferred provider organization<\/em> plans typically have higher amounts that you pay to your health plan each month, but they tend to be more flexible. PPOs allow you to see any doctor or specialist in the network of your plan. You can also seek care outside of your network. To see a specialist, PPOs do not require a referral from your primary care physician (PCP), but you will likely have to pay more for the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health maintenance organization<\/em> plans have lower monthly payments than PPOs but require members to use specific in-network providers. Additionally, you must obtain referrals from your doctor to see specialists. Like HMOs, exclusive provider organizations (EPOs) also require you to stay within the network of your health plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A high deductible health plan <\/em>is another low-cost option. HDHPs have low monthly payments and a higher amount you pay for healthcare services (such as a doctor\u2019s visit) before your plan starts to pay for services. With HDHPs, you may not pay much monthly, but you\u2019ll have to pay more for healthcare when it\u2019s utilized. HDHPs are usually paired with a health savings account (HSA) to help offset healthcare costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The open enrollment period is crucial because it is one of the few times you can change many of your benefits. The health plan decisions you make during open enrollment can have a major impact on your finances, so it\u2019s critical that you not only enroll before the period ends, but that you also carefully consider your options<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When enrolling for healthcare through the ACA at healthcare.gov, you will enter details about your living situation and income, and the system will offer a range of plans for which you qualify. The list of options may stretch over several pages \u2013 but they are searchable, and comparison shopping is highly encouraged. We recommend searching within your results for Blue KC health plans, which offer competitive rates and excellent care. For more information about open enrollment and Blue KC health plan options, visit https:\/\/www.bluekcforyou.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\tSome Types of Insurance Do Not Use an Enrollment Period<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Is Buying Insurance Limited to Once Per Year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types of Enrollment Plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why It\u2019s Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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