October 12, 2016 09:00ET
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 12, 2016) - Narrow networks and fewer health plan choices are among the challenges consumers must navigate during this year's open enrollment period, according to AgileHealthInsurance.com, which released five tips today for consumers shopping for 2017 health insurance. Open enrollment for 2017 Obamacare coverage runs from Nov. 1, 2016, to Jan. 31, 2017.
"This is going be an especially challenging year for open enrollment. There are higher premiums and deductibles, and fewer plans to choose from," said Sam Gibbs, executive director of AgileHealthInsurance.com. "Going on autopilot isn't really an option, especially for those consumers whose current plan won't be available next year. It's important people carefully weigh their options before enrolling."
Five Tips for Consumers Shopping for 2017 Health Insurance Coverage
Know (and comply with) the deadlines. This year's open enrollment period begins Nov. 1, 2016, and runs through Jan. 31, 2017. Unless you qualify for a special enrollment period, it is the only time you can enroll in a marketplace plan. However, there are additional deadlines of which you should be aware. For example, if you want coverage to begin Jan. 1, you must enroll in coverage by Dec. 15. If you want coverage to begin Feb. 1, you must enroll by Jan. 15. If you wait until Jan. 31, your coverage will not begin until March 1.
Also, procrastinators should be aware the federal government has tightened up the requirements for qualifying for a special enrollment period, which allows people to sign up for coverage outside of open enrollment if they have a change in life circumstances, like losing health insurance, moving or getting married. Keep in mind you may be asked for documents that prove your eligibility for special enrollment.
Study the health plan's provider networks. This year more than ever, if you want to keep your doctor, it's important to confirm he or she is included in the plan you are considering. As medical costs continue to rise, one of the ways health plans try to keep a handle on rising premiums is by limiting their provider networks. Also, the withdrawal of large carriers and co-ops from the marketplace means many counties will have only one insurer offering Obamacare plans on the government exchange. The lack of options increases the likelihood of preferred doctors and hospitals being out-of-network if the only available insurer uses narrow networks.
Provider network restrictions can be financially devastating because consumers could have to pay the entire medical bill out-of-pocket if they choose to see an out-of-network provider. The best way to confirm your doctor is included is to check the provider directory not only on HealthCare.gov but also directly with the health insurance carrier. The directories change often, and you want to make sure you have the latest information.
Look beyond premiums to factor in deductibles. Another way insurers are looking to keep a handle on premiums is by increasing deductibles. A deductible is the amount an enrollee must pay for covered medical services before an insurance plan will start covering costs. For instance, if your plan has a $3,000 deductible, you must pay this amount towards covered health care expenses before your insurance will start paying for a share of costs.
It may be tempting to pick the plan with the lowest premium, but that is only one of the factors that plays into how much you'll end up paying for medical care.
Consider using health savings account (HSA) funds for qualified medical expenses. If you have an HSA, that money remains yours, even if you lose a job and the coverage that goes along with it. You can use HSA funds for a range of medical expenses, including doctor's fees, prescription drugs and dental treatment. You generally can't use HSA funds for health insurance premiums. However, there is an exception for people receiving unemployment benefits.
To find HSA-eligible plans on HealthCare.gov, look for "HSA" or "HSA eligible" in the plan name. Also, look for the plan's HSA benefit details in the plan brochure.
AgileHealthInsurance.com was created to educate people about the benefits of short term medical insurance and provide a fast, online process for purchasing these plans. Short Term Medical Insurance is a flexible and low-cost major medical insurance for individuals without expensive pre-existing health conditions. It is not Obamacare. Term health plans offer consumers the flexibility to choose health plans with the benefits that matter most to them and combine these benefits with broad provider networks. Additional information about AgileHealthInsurance can be found at www.AgileHealthInsurance.com.
CONTACT:
Kevin McVicker,
(703) 739-5920
AgileHealthInsurance.com was launched in 2015 to educate consumers on the availability of private market health insurance products that are alternatives to Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plans. Today AgileHealthInsurance is the largest distributor of short term medical insurance, providing a fast, online process for purchasing these plans. Short Term Medical Insurance is a flexible and low-cost major medical insurance for individuals without expensive pre-existing health conditions. It is not Obamacare. Short-term health plans offer consumers the flexibility to choose health plans with the benefits that matter most to them and combine these benefits with broad provider networks. Additional information about AgileHealthInsurance can be found at www.AgileHealthInsurance.com.
AgileHealthInsurance.com is a Silicon Valley-based technology company and independently managed division of Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIIQ). This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding new markets, products, services, growth strategies, anticipated trends in our business and anticipated changes and developments in the United States health insurance system and laws. Forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs are generally identifiable by use of words "may," "might," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue," or similar expressions and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to maintain relationships and develop new relationships with health insurance carriers and distributors, our ability to retain our members, the demand for our products, the amount of commissions paid to us or changes in health insurance plan pricing practices, our ability to integrate our acquisitions, competition, changes and developments in the United States health insurance system and laws, and our ability to adapt to them, the ability to maintain and enhance our name recognition, difficulties arising from acquisitions or other strategic transactions, and our ability to build the necessary infrastructure and processes to maintain effective controls over financial reporting. These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are discussed in HIIQ's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as other documents that may be filed by HIIQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. You should not rely on any forward-looking statement as representing our views in the future. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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