Every fall, Open Enrollment rolls around, starting November 1 in most places, with end dates that depend on where you live. And every fall, a lot of people either auto-renew without looking or try to compare plans at 11pm the night before the deadline.
Let’s not do that. Here’s what I ask people to bring when we sit down, so the whole thing takes one good conversation.
Bring this
- Your doctors. Everyone you want to keep, including specialists.
- Your prescriptions, with names and doses. The same medication can cost very different amounts on different plans.
- A rough income estimate for next year. It decides which savings you qualify for.
- Who needs coverage, with birth dates.
- Your current plan, if you have one, so we can compare honestly.
What we’ll compare
- Monthly premium: what you pay no matter what.
- Deductible: what you pay before the plan starts sharing costs.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: your worst-case year for covered care.
- Copays for what you actually use. A plan with a low premium isn’t a deal if you see a specialist every month.
Please don’t just auto-renew
Plans and prices change every year. Even if you were happy with yours, it deserves a ten-minute look.
Grab this list, give me a call, and let me do the comparing. Stanley will probably be there too.
This article is general information, not advice for your specific situation. Rules and eligibility vary by state and circumstance.