FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 29
health
Five things you need to know about healthcare
coverage during open enrollment period
It’s that time of year again - open enrollment
for healthcare coverage. While fi nding
the right plan may seem confusing,
there are more resources and ways to fi nd
reduced-cost coverage than ever before. If
you’re currently uninsured or your coverage
doesn’t meet your needs, now is a good time
to explore available options to save money
and reduce stress about your healthcare.
Here are 5 things you need to know to
help you fi nd the best healthcare coverage
for you.
Healthcare exchange subsidies can help
pay for coverage
Th e health insurance exchanges (sometimes
referred to as the healthcare marketplace)
provide access to enroll in health
plans for individuals and families.
Millions of Americans are eligible for
advance premium tax credits that allow
them to purchase coverage with no premium,
or lower premiums than they currently
pay, depending on their income.
In fact, 4 out of 5 people who enroll in
reduced-cost coverage through the health
insurance exchange can fi nd a plan for
$10 or less per month.
On certain plans, some people may
also qualify for another form of subsidy
called Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs),
depending on income, which reduce
how much you have to pay out-of-pocket
toward deductibles, coinsurance and
copayments.
Th ere are various, aff ordable coverage
options
More people qualify for reduced-cost
coverage through the health insurance
exchange than ever before. To be eligible
for coverage under the Aff ordable Care
Act, you must live in the U.S., be a U.S.
citizen or national, and cannot be incarcerated.
If you are off ered healthcare coverage
through your employer, it is up to
you to decide between that coverage or
plans off ered on the exchange. You can
compare them to see which is better for
your situation. Keep in mind that, if you
qualify for aff ordable coverage through
your employer, you will not be eligible
for fi nancial assistance to purchase a plan
on the exchange. Also, if you qualify for
Medicare or Medicaid, those options may
be a better fi t for you.
The open enrollment period is
November 1 through January 15
You’ll have more time to shop for
2022 health coverage with an extended
open enrollment period, which began
November 1, 2021 and ends January 15,
2022, in most states. However, enrollments
need to be completed by December
15, 2021 to have coverage begin on
January 1, 2022. Enrollments completed
between December 16 and January 15
will have coverage eff ective from February
1, 2022.
If you experience a life change such
as unemployment, you may be eligible
to enroll for coverage outside this open
enrollment period.
You can fi nd multiple options through
UnitedHealthcare
Healthcare is a personal decision, and
your needs may change over time. Th e
best way to choose a plan is to review the
last couple of years, and ask yourself:
• Did you have many prescriptions and
doctor visits?
• What did you pay for medications and
medical services?
• What physicians and hospitals are in
your area’s network?
Many plans (including UnitedHealthcare
Individual and Family plans) off er 24/7
virtual visits for urgent, primary and specialty
care at no additional cost, plus
wellness and other value-added benefi ts.
UnitedHealthcare is off ering new benefi ts
for the 2022 plan year, which may include
$0 primary care, dental and vision coverage,
prescriptions as low as $3 and complimentary
digital fi tness classes on some
plans.
“We’re including a number of benefi ts
this year to meet the needs of all individuals,”
said Marcus Robinson, national vice
president, UnitedHealthcare. “Whether
you’re looking for low-cost prescriptions,
wanting no-cost access to fi tness classes,
managing a chronic condition or searching
for a more convenient way to connect
with a provider, we’ve got you covered.”
It’s easy to get started
Most areas have experts and licensed
agents available that speak multiple languages
to help you enroll in the best
plan for you and your family’s needs.
Learn more about coverage options at
UHCExchange.com, or call 1-800-806-
0451 (TTY 711) to speak with a licensed
agent about UnitedHealthcare plans in
your area.
Medical plan coverage off ered by
UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc. in AZ,
Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance
Organization, Incorporated in CO,
UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc. in FL,
UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, Inc. in GA,
UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, Inc. in IL,
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
in LA, TN and AL, Optimum Choice,
Inc. in VA and MD, UnitedHealthcare
Community Plan, Inc. in MI,
UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, Inc.
in NC, UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma,
Inc. in OK, UnitedHealthcare of Texas,
Inc. in TX and UnitedHealthcare of
Oregon, Inc. in WA. Administrative
Services provided by United HealthCare
Services, Inc. or their affi liates.
Some plans may require copayments,
deductibles and/or coinsurance for these
benefi ts. Th is policy has exclusions, limitations,
reduction of benefi ts, and terms
under which the policy may be continued
in force or discontinued. For costs and
complete details of the coverage, review
your plan documents, call or write your
insurance agent or the company, whichever
is applicable. By responding to this
off er, you agree that a representative may
contact you.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/UHCExchange.com
