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Nestled snugly between two of our favorite holidays—Halloween and Thanksgiving—we're kicking off healthcare open enrollment for 2024! Join the #TRN team as we break down the how-tos of health insurance planning.
Avoiding the Healthcare Headache
Okay, we know that not everyone gets as excited about enrollment season as we do. However, it's still an important part of annual health and wellness planning for millions of Americans. We also know that while it can sometimes be a confusing or frustrating process, it doesn't have to be.
Save yourself a headache or two by checking out our top dos and don'ts for your open enrollment planning.
Do: Plan Ahead
In most states, 2024 open enrollment begins on November 1st and runs through January 15th for coverage starting in January. And we get it: health insurance plan selection is probably Number 11 on most people's Top 10 lists of things to do, but taking a little time to build a game plan now can eliminate stress later.
Don't: Wait Until the Last Minute
No judgment; we've all been there. But procrastinating on this can force a lot of work and stress into a short period. Instead, consider breaking the process into smaller steps and setting milestone deadlines along the way:
Example: At the beginning of November, retrieve (or reset) your Marketplace login information and make sure you can at least log on to the platform. By mid-November, make sure you've scheduled a consultation with a health insurance agent and so on.
Do: Get Educated
We say it all the time: the world of healthcare is pretty confusing, and by the time another year has passed and open enrollment comes up again, you have just enough time to forget all of the plan types and terminology.
Fortunately, you can brush up on the basics any time by visiting our complete open enrollment resources library here.
Don't: Skip Out on Picking a Plan Entirely Because You're Unsure
Analysis paralysis happens when the fear of making the wrong decision keeps us from making any decision at all. Sometimes, when we feel that we have too many options or that our choices are unclear, we freeze up.
But remember that your health and the health of your family are of critical importance. By taking the time to reacquaint yourself with common plan structures and terms, you can often arrive at the best options by the process of elimination.
Do: Reassess Your Medical Needs for the Upcoming Year
Expect the unexpected, especially if your household is growing. It might be easy to roll over into that same high deductible plan every year when you're young, single, and feeling invincible, but the reality is that as we age, things can get more complicated.
Don't: Go With the Same Plan as Last Year Just Because You're Unsure
We build families, break bones, change prescriptions, and put off wisdom teeth extractions until the pain becomes unbearable (definitely speaking from personal experience on that wisdom teeth issue; putting it off is not recommended).
So whether you're planning for your first child or finally tackling that knee replacement surgery, take the time to think ahead about what the next year means for your health and wellness, and don't just assume that nothing will change.
Do: Consult an Expert
Still feeling confused about it all? We recommend consulting a licensed health insurance agent for that. No one knows the healthcare industry better; they stay on top of the latest in plan options, prescription drugs, and even legislation that could affect your overall coverage and care. If you're stuck, an expert consultation is the way to go.
Don't: Sweat 2024 Open Enrollment
One of the best things about speaking with a licensed health insurance agent is that you don't have to pay out of pocket for their time, so you get your guide to help you find the most effective and affordable options.
Stress-free, hand-tailored healthcare. Complimentary and confidential.
So, let's get you started in the right direction.
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