FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 25
health
Five tips that help simplify health
insurance during open enrollment
Open enrollment season is here, a time
when millions of Americans across the
country will have the opportunity to
select or switch their health insurance
plan for the coming year.
Enrollment periods aren’t the same for
everyone, so there are key dates to keep in
mind depending on your situation:
• Many employers set aside a two- to
three-week period between September
and December when employees can
select health benefi ts for the following
year.
• Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.
To help guide you during this important
time, Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N.,
National Director of Health Strategies at
UnitedHealthcare, provides the following
tips that may help lead you to better
health and cost savings.
Tip 1: Start early, take your time and
ask questions. When it comes to selecting
a plan, one size does not fi t all. Whether
you are selecting a plan for the fi rst time
or evaluating how well your current plan
is meeting your needs, take the time to
understand and compare plans. A good
fi rst step is to make sure you understand
health insurance lingo, such as
premium, deductible, coinsurance and
out-of-pocket maximum. If you need
a refresher, check out the Health
Care ABCs. If you’re of Medicare
age, ensure you’re familiar with
the diff erence between Original
Medicare and Medicare
Advantage by checking out
medicaremadeclear.com as
you weigh your options.
Tip 2: Take advantage of a
plan that off ers telehealth
visits and other resources
to help you navigate health
from home. An increasingly
popular health care
choice, especially during
the COVID-19
pandemic, has been
telehealth or virtual
visits, which enable
people to connect 24/7
with a health care provider
via a smartphone, tablet or
personal computer. It’s designed to
be an easier, more aff ordable way to
talk to a doctor about common health
issues. Oft en, telehealth is available to
members of employer-sponsored, individual
and Medicare Advantage plans.
Tip 3: Review plan benefi ts that can
help you save money, like wellness incentives.
Many health plans now off er fi nancial
incentives that reward you for taking
healthier actions, such as completing
a health survey, exercising
or avoiding nicotine.
Many plans, including
Medicare Advantage
plans, off er gym memberships
and wellness
programs for members
at no additional
cost.
Tip 4: Anticipate
next year’s health
expenses. If you are
expecting a signifi cant
health event in the next
year, such as a surgery
or the birth of a child, you
should compare the diff erences
between plan designs,
including out-of-pocket
maximums.
Tip 5: Consider a plan that
off ers health care advocates and
resources to help you make the
most of your benefi ts. Health care can
be complicated, so no one should have to
go it alone. It’s important to pick a plan
that will provide you with access to advocates
who help you navigate the health
care system, fi nd opportunities for cost
savings and improve your health care
experiences.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/medicaremadeclear.com
