Every year, Americans have a short window of time to review, change, or enroll in a health insurance plan. Whether you’re getting coverage through your employer, your State or Federal Health Insurance Marketplace, or Medicare, open enrollment gives you a chance to make sure your plan still fits your needs.
Finding the right health insurance policy to meet your needs and budgets is critical. Let’s take a close look at open enrollment, why it matters, what choices you have, and what to know to help you secure the best health coverage for you.
What Is Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is a set period each year when you can sign up for a new health plan or make changes to your existing one. Outside of this timeframe, you usually can't switch plans or make changes unless you experience a qualifying event such as getting married or losing your health coverage.
For most people who buy coverage through their State or Federal Health Insurance Marketplace, open enrollment typically is November 1 to January 15. Some states do have a different end date, so it's best to check for your location. Medicare has its own period from October 15 to December 7 of each year.
The licensed insurance agents at InsureOnline.com can help you understand your health insurance options and talk through them. Give us a call at (844) 358-5605 or complete our online form to get started.
If you get health insurance through your employer, dates can vary. Many companies hold open enrollment in the fall and give employees a set timeframe to make their elections for the upcoming year.
Open enrollment is a great time to review your current health insurance policy and assess if it meets all your needs. Before making any changes or buying a new plan, you'll want to reflect on your usage from the previous year and plan for the upcoming year.
You can ask yourself: Did you use your insurance a lot last year or barely at all? Were there surprise medical bills? Did your doctor or medications change? Are you planning a major health need for the next year such as a surgery or pregnancy?
These questions can help you start thinking about the year ahead and what may be appropriate. Depending on your situation and available options, a supplemental health insurance plan may be a great way to fill in any coverage gaps or secure additional protection.
The licensed insurance agents at InsureOnline.com are here to help. They can help review your policy with you, discuss your needs, and help you find coverage. Give our licensed insurance agents a call at (844) 358-5605 to discuss or complete our online form to see what options are available.
Why Open Enrollment Matters
The right health insurance can help you manage your everyday health care costs as well as serve as a safety net in case of unforeseen health emergencies. The right plan for you can help you save money on doctor's visits, prescriptions, and preventative care while the wrong plan for you could leave you with large out-of-pocket expenses.
Insurance companies may update their plans for the new year. Deductibles may change, in-network providers may update, certain medications may not be covered, and many more changes are possible. It's important to review any upcoming changes so you make the most informed decision for the next year.
Taking time to review your plan now can help you avoid surprises down the road and ensure you're getting the most value for your money.
Understanding the Main Parts of a Health Plan
Before choosing a plan, it helps to understand a few key terms. Health insurance comes with a mix of costs and benefits and knowing what each one means will help you compare your options more easily.
Premium: The amount you pay each month to keep your coverage active.
Deductible: How much you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts paying for covered services.
Copayment: A set dollar amount you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, or procedures.
Coinsurance: A set percentage of the total cost you pay after you've met your deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you'll pay for covered services in a year. Once you reach this limit, your insurance pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.
Balancing these numbers is key to choosing the right plan for you. Our licensed insurance agents can help you understand the numbers in various policies, discuss your healthcare needs and potential costs, and help you make a well-informed decision for 2026. Give us a call at (844) 358-5605 or complete our online form to get the conversation started.
The Different Types of Health Plans
When comparing plans, you'll run into different types such as HMO, PPO, and others. These acronyms describe how you access health care (if you need a referral or not) and which doctors or medical facilities you can see in-network. They mostly describe the level of flexibility you have when seeking health care.
Two of the most common types of health plans are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). HMOs usually require you to choose a primary care physician and get referrals to see specialists. These types of plans often limit the covered medical professionals you can see to those in-network, which helps keep costs lower. A PPO lets you see doctors outside the network without a referral. Premiums are typically higher on a PPO plan. These are only two of the main types of healthcare plans. There are others.
Everyone will need to decide what type of plan is best for them. Our licensed insurance agents can help you discuss these various plan types and make recommendations based on your unique situation. Call us today at (844) 358-5605 or complete our online form so we can help you understand your different health insurance options.
Open enrollment is your yearly opportunity to take control of your health coverage. It's your chance to review last year's health insurance usage and strategize for the upcoming year by selecting the right coverage to meet your unique needs and budget.
Take some time to review your situation, compare options, and understand how each plan works. This can help you make the best decision for you and bring peace of mind all year long. Don't wait until the last minute. Explore your options today with one of our licensed insurance agents. Give us a call at (844) 358-5605 to talk about your health insurance coverage or complete our online form to get started.
Health decisions can feel complicated, but they don't have to be. With a little thoughtful planning and some guidance from one of our licensed insurance agents, you can make a good choice for you.
About InsureOnline.com
InsureOnline.com is a digital insurance agency that provides affordable insurance to consumers who want to shop and purchase insurance online while still having the option to work with an agent if they wish. The agency offers auto, home, life, health, and commercial as well as other specialty lines of insurance. Our goal is to provide an easy, fast, convenient, and safe online shopping experience for consumers looking for the best price by utilizing all the latest and greatest technology. Based in Bedford Park, Illinois, we are licensed to write business in many states and have a multilingual staff licensed and certified in a variety of insurance lines. We partner with many highly rated insurance companies to help provide the best insurance solutions to meet your individual needs and your budget. Buy insurance online or talk to a licensed insurance agent! It's your choice.
For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit InsureOnline.com or call (844) 358-5605.
The general and educational information here supports the sales, marketing, or service of insurance policies. Individuals should seek advice from their own qualified and duly licensed independent tax or legal advisors based upon their own particular circumstances.