By: Colleen Van Ham, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois
Open enrollment is the time each fall when most Americans select or change their health benefits for the following year. Choosing health care coverage is one of the most important decisions people make. Therefore, it’s essential that consumers fully understand their options during open enrollment so they can choose a plan that will help them enhance their health and possibly save money. Many companies set aside a two-week period between October and December for when their employees can select health benefits, so now is the time to start getting prepared. Here are three important tips for a successful open-enrollment season:
Tip 1: Review your options.
It may sound simple, but taking the time to review your options is very important. Ask questions. In many cases, people who review their health plan options may find ways to save money on their health care costs – whether it’s through selecting a plan that will cover more of their expected health costs for a major event (such as having a baby or surgery), evaluating prescription drug coverage, or having the opportunity to enroll in an incentive-based wellness program.
Tip 2: Make sure your doctor is in-network – it can usually save you money on out-of-pocket costs.
Even if you don’t plan to make any changes to your health insurance this year, it’s always good to ensure that any doctor you see – or plan to visit in the coming year – is in your plan’s care provider network. Many insurers offer a broad choice of local in-network health care professionals, and these in-network care providers agree in advance to what they’ll charge for specific procedures.
Tip 3: Don’t forget about specialty benefits.
Specialty benefits like dental and vision plans are often available at a minimum cost, and cover annual teeth cleanings and eye exams. Many vision plans also offer reduced pricing on frames and lenses. Research suggests that there is a connection between oral health and overall health, so adding a dental plan may help prevent more serious medical problems. For help navigating open enrollment, visit www.uhc.tv.
