Signing up for coverage online is quicker and safer than ever
It’s open enrollment time. You’ve seen an avalanche of brochures and television commercials and compared notes with co-workers about employer’s choices for next year. You’ve also likely used your tablet or smartphone compare plans online. But seemingly helpful sites promising the best plan may ask for extensive personal information, then invite you to “chat now” or “call this number.”
You can do a way better job finding the best plan by using official Medicare and Covered California websites and their trusted partners. These insurance companies that are approved for these programs follow rules regarding coverage and disclosure and have no hidden agendas. Here are some things to think about before you shop for plans.
TAKING STOCK
Do you like the doctors you have? Which hospital is closest to where you live? Are there specialists you see on a fairly regular basis?
Most physicians belong to medical groups in specific healthcare networks offering a variety of medical services over a wide area. One example is MemorialCare. Their primary care doctors, specialists, urgent cares, labs, imaging and surgery centers and four hospitals span from the South Bay of Los Angeles to South Orange County. Their website, memorialcare.org, lets users find doctors, locations and specialty services.
Another thought: What medical services do you really use? Are you in good health and rarely need to see a doctor?
Does anyone have chronic health issues? Nobody knows what might happen tomorrow, much less next year, but taking stock of your health needs can help you negotiate through an often-dazzling range of choices and benefits.
“Don’t buy more than you need,” said Jill Selby, the vice-president of product development for SCAN Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage insurance company. “Think about what you may need in 2020. Maybe last year’s plan is not the best choice. People’s needs change from year to year.”
MAKING THE SELECTION
Any jeweler will tell you gold is more valuable than silver, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to the health insurance plans set up by Covered California, the state’s Affordable Health Care (ACA) program.
The four “metal” categories of plans are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. What they cover and what they cost in premiums, co-pays and deductibles are detailed in easily digestible charts on the Covered California website, coveredca.com.
The official Medicare site has an updated search to more quickly find and compareplans. Go to medicare.gov to review Medicare Advantage, Medigap and prescription drug plans based on zip code. Quickly see available plans, how much they cost and what benefits are included.
If you need drug cost information, be ready to list the medications you take. If you are already on Medicare and create an account with your new Medicare number, the plan finder feature can retrieve a record of medications you filled at the pharmacy this year. Update the list if needed. Click on “Find Plan,” and your current insurer appears with an estimated total cost of your out-of-pocket expenses in 2020, along with alternative plans that could save you money.
You can enroll in almost any plan on the site, but before you do, verify with the actual insurance company — that’s another way to avoid costly surprises. Happy planning!
– CATHERINE GAUGH
Custom Publishing Writer
