State commissioner on health insurance: Time of year for enrollment or changes

Oct. 17—Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready's office is reminding Oklahomans the Health Insurance Marketplace in Oklahoma is about to open for the 2025 coverage year.

Starting Nov. 1, individuals and families can enroll in, re-enroll in or make changes to their health insurance plans.

"Now is the time to review you and your family's needs to secure the best coverage that meets those needs," Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. "Visit healthcare.gov as soon as you can to find the plan that fits."

Key Dates to Remember:

Nov. 1, 2024: Open enrollment commences

—Starting Nov. 1, people can explore the various health insurance options available through the Marketplace in Oklahoma to find a plan that suits specific needs and budget.

Dec. 15, 2024: Deadline for coverage that starts on Jan. 1, 2025

—To ensure health coverage begins on Jan. 1, 2025, enroll or make any plan changes by Dec. 15 to avoid a coverage gap.

Seven insurers will offer individual health plans for 2025: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Medica Insurance Company, Oscar Health, UnitedHealthcare , CommunityCare Oklahoma, Ambetter of Oklahoma (Celtic Ins. Co.) and Taro Health.

BCBSOK will offer a statewide plan, while the other carriers' plans will be available in selected counties. These carriers will provide a range of health plans tailored to Oklahoma residents' diverse needs along with dental plans offered in the state (healthcare.gov).

Mulready added that healthcare costs are rising as demand increases and says it's more important now than ever that people are insured. Last year, over 269,600 Oklahomans who renewed or purchased plans during open enrollment paid an average of $71 monthly for premiums after federal subsidies.

Plan options, monthly premiums and total annual out-of-pocket costs for 2025 will be available at www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/ later this month when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' release this information, Mulready's office wrote on its website.

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