You’re probably seeing tons of ads for health insurance “open enrollment” season. Depending on your situation, those dates are different for everyone. Regardless of what category you fall under, this is likely where your eyes go glassy and your ears begin to ring…especially when your mom, who’s an expert on everything, starts to chime in.
Don’t panic! Here’s your open enrollment primer.
You Can Shop Around
We “price compare” everything today, but most people don’t “shop” health insurance options. They stick to the marketplace or click on the first slick marketing campaign that they find. Something that looks like a deal may not meet your requirements, once you get into the nitty gritty of the details.
The marketplace is not your only option; in fact, it’s most often not the best product for you. What you require is a policy that covers everything you need, but doesn’t charge and arm and a leg—in other words, not being underinsured, but also not overpaying.
This is where the expertise of a licensed health insurance broker comes in. A knowledgeable broker examines everything, to get a full picture of what you currently have and what you truly need. We adjust your coverage to your (and your family’s) needs, keeping what works and clearly explaining any components that should be altered.
Health Insurance Appointments Are Free (and Even Fun!)
With our apologies to anyone in the dental profession, our appointments are nothing like pulling teeth!
For starters, there is no cost for a broker’s services. That should have you smiling already.
The appointment itself consists of evaluating your current policy, providers, medications, etc., to ensure that your personalized health insurance plan works for you. Your broker does all of the comparisons and cuts through all of the confusion, so you don’t have to.
I generally save my clients an average of 35% to 40% on health insurance premiums. In fact, one couple who came in paying $3,500 per month secured a much more comprehensive plan, with a far better premium…saving them more than $2,900 each month!
Brokers Are Your New Best Friends
Client advocacy is a huge part of being a health insurance broker. Some of our lesser known services include:
- Providing the “CliffsNotes” or “Dummies guides” versions of complicated topics, like fertility treatment options
- Filing claims and pre-authorizations, assisting with new ID cards and portal registrations, and even changing bank account information (should yours be hacked)
- Calling new doctors, to confirm that all appropriate insurance information and paperwork has been submitted
- Compiling provider lists that work with your plan
On occasion we simply provide a listening ear. If your plan doesn’t need an upgrade, we tell you that. Sometimes just the comfort of knowing you can change it in the future is the only assistance you need.
You may not follow your mom’s advice; but when we tell you exactly the same information, you’ll discover that it’s actually brilliant. Find out more at coveredbystephanie.com or 937-619-9939. And then go thank your mom.
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