Compare plans

Registration season open for Affordable Care Act The health insurance market began on November 1 and will continue until January 15.

Katie Roders Turner, executive director of Family Health Foundationsaid 4 out of 5 Floridians eligible for plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace could find plans for as little as $10 a month.

However, that doesn’t mean everyone who signs up for coverage pays that price.

Turner emphasizes the importance of comparing plans each year.

“Don’t let yourself automatically re-register. Really go ahead and update your application information, make sure that information is correct,” she said. “Maybe your income has changed, maybe your family size has changed. This will always impact the cost of your plan.

Turner said the best and only way to compare plans is to check the federal government’s official website for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, healthcare.gov.

“On this website, there’s a really wonderful window shopping tool (where) you can enter some information and see all the plans immediately, without creating an account, without filling out the entire application,” she says . “So you really get an overview of all the plans before you go through the whole process. »

When selecting a health insurance plan, Turner said knowing the cost of your prescription medications, as well as whether there is a separate pharmacy deductible, can help you make an informed decision.

“If you have a lot of prescriptions that are important to you throughout the year, make sure you understand that if you look at the cost of your insurance plan’s deductible, know if there is also a deductible separate pharmaceutical for this. same insurance plan,” she said. “And that’s something you really need to look at in your benefits summary.” »

Turner adds that choosing a plan with the lowest premium may not be the most economical choice for individuals or their families, because you may have to pay higher fees in the long run.

She said a higher premium could ease the fear of some medical costs in the future.

“Where you can access a copay for services like urgent care, primary care or specialty care, even if you have to pay a higher premium.” she said. “Because if you need to go to urgent care, if you need to start seeing a specialist, at least you know what those costs are going to be.”

Therefore, Turner suggests comparing a $0 premium plan with higher priced plans like $60 or $120.

But more importantly, Turner said, “If someone is really trying to save money in the new year, it’s at least very important to have insurance.” Don’t give up, because medical debt is a reality. So please, please, please, please, the value of insurance is so important.

Assistance and competitiveness

According to Turner, as more insurance companies enter the insurance market, it makes the market a competitive space, which can become overwhelming for some buyers.

“It can be a little difficult to navigate for people with this,” she said. “There’s this importance of our role at the Family Healthcare Foundation as navigators, making sure that we’re on people’s side, helping them understand what these plans are, what the benefits are, and can -be what are some of the downsides.

With many insurers and plans to choose from, Turner said those looking for financial assistance can access it through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Impact of the Medicaid Redetermination Process

Florida disenrolled 1.3 million people from Medicaid during the unwinding period, according to the Florida Political Institute.

Turner said the redetermination process is pushing more people into the health care market.

“We’re seeing people who are used to having health insurance, want to keep their health insurance and are now looking for other options,” she said.

Florida is one of ten states that has not expanded Medicaid.

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