Things to know about 2 big health-insurance deadlines in December
Two deadlines coming up affect two different groups -- those on
--
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You may not be affected by either deadline. Most Arizonans are not.
Confused? You are not alone. The health system is complex enough that the federal government trains "navigators" to help people enroll it it.
What's important to remember, for starters, is that if you have
While the election results have prompted questions, nothing is likely to change in 2017.
"A lot of clients are calling me worried about changes in the individual marketplace through the Affordable Care Act. They are worried it affects
Pima County Medicare beneficiaries have a robust choice of more than 20
Here's what Southern Arizonans need to know:
--The
People on
Anyone who is satisfied that their current
For people who use
--Experts advise people on
"Check in and look at things like network enhancements and pharmacy changes, changes in ambulance co-pays, rehabilitation, physical therapy co-pays -- it's important to know what they are."
The risk of not reviewing one's options is that enrollees could be stuck with a plan that no longer fits their needs, particularly if they lose the doctor they'd been seeing because that doctor is no longer "in-network", said Bravo, who is president of the
Humana's
--Many
"Most people are in the wrong Part D plan and are paying a much higher premium than they need to," Early wrote in an email. "That's because their Part D plan might have had a
Current enrollees in stand-alone
It's possible to reduce one's costs by reviewing the plans available, Early said. Anyone paying
Spritz advises using the federal government's Medicare Plan Finder, available online, to review options.
"Drug costs are really such a big one for people," Spritz said. "You can put in the medications you use, to see how they will be covered. It may change from year to year. ... Sometimes staying with the same plan may not be what is best."
--Help is available, and don't be afraid to ask.
"It really is a system that is crazy complicated," said Spritz. People with questions can go to the
Locally, the
Another option is going to a broker, which will not cost anything. Bravo advises checking with the
If a broker is really pushing one particular plan, Spritz advises asking that person why. It could be because of the commission they are receiving.
She also advises against giving out your
--If there are any changes in
Affordable Care Act/Obamacare
--Affordable Care Act insurance and Obamacare insurance are the same thing.
Most people don't use the federal marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act, to purchase their health insurance. Last year nearly 180,000
Some states have their own marketplaces, but
ACA coverage is for working-age people who don't have employer-based coverage, or who don't get their health insurance via a government program.
--The
The open enrollment period for getting health insurance via the marketplace goes through
--Marketplace choices for
--A
--Free, bilingual help is available.
There's a toll-free number for
Other options are for people to go to a broker, which does not cost any extra, or enroll themselves through healthcare.gov or by calling the federal marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.
--Lower-income families qualify for financial help.
"Headlines about big price increases for coverage only apply to people who do not receive financial help," said
--What others are saying on social media or in conversations may not apply to you.
"What you pay for coverage depends very specifically on your income, family size and age," Goforth said. "You don't know what coverage will cost until you actually apply."
--There are no enrollment deadlines for
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