Four Tips to Help You Shop for a Health Insurance Plan

The process of shopping for a new health insurance plan during open enrollment is important for your future. It’s always a good idea to review your options, even if you don’t need a new plan. Open enrollment lasts from November 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017. Don’t wait until the last minute to get the health insurance coverage you need

Here are four tips to keep in mind when shopping around for a health insurance plan this year:

What am I eligible for?

Not everyone is eligible for every health plan. To know your eligibility, visit the Massachusetts Health Connector website at MAhealthconnector.org.

What should I look for?

When shopping for a health insurance plan, keep your health needs in mind. Ask yourself the following questions during your search:

• How often do I go to the doctor? What types of visits do I need (checkups, blood tests, surgery, etc.)?
• Are there any specialists that I see regularly?
• Do I have prescription medications that I need insurance to cover?
• Does the hospital or health center near me accept the health insurance I want?
• Bronze – These plans have the lowest premiums of the metallic plans, but the highest deductibles and co-payments.

What am I paying?

There are three different types of health insurance payments you should know about:

• Premium – This is the monthly fee you pay to your health insurance plan in exchange for coverage. Many plans with lower premium costs may have higher co-payments.
• Co-payment (co-pays) – These are the payments you make every time you receive a medical service. For example, you may have a $25 co-pay every time you visit your primary care doctor for a sick visit. Different types of visits (primary care visits, emergency room visits, etc.) have different co-pays.
• Deductible – This is the amount you must pay for health care services before your health insurance plan begins paying for your health care services. Different plans have different deductibles. Some plans may pay for certain services even before you meet your deductible.

What are the metallic tiers?

The Massachusetts Health Connector plans have four levels to make it easier for you to compare plans:

• Platinum – These plans have the highest premiums, but lowest deductible and co-payments.
• Gold – These plans have lower premiums than platinum plans, but higher deductibles and co-payments.
• Silver – these plans have lower premiums than platinum and gold plans, but higher deductibles and co-payments.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Health Connector website and start shopping for the health plan that best fits your needs. You can also find helpful resources online to help you better navigate your health insurance plan choices.

Remember that you must choose your health insurance plan and pay your first month’s premium before January 31, 2017. Make sure you get the healthcare coverage you need today.