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Sunday, May 3, 2009

Open enrollment for health insurance: What you need to know

By Lynn Lopez

Not all health insurance plans are created equal, nor are they created to last forever. If you are dissatisfied with your current coverage, or if you want to add dependents to your health plan, you have the option to make changes to your health insurance during the open enrollment for health insurance. The open enrollment for health insurance is a period when eligible employees can change their current health plan. You can add or remove dependents, increase or decrease coverage, switch to other health insurance providers after reviewing other health insurance options, or opt out of coverage entirely. Of course, you have the option to stay with your current provider, in which case, you don't have to do anything. During open enrollment for health insurance, you are not usually required to provide evidence of insurability, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, when you switch to a different health insurance provider. You and your dependents' cannot be denied enrollment for pre-existing conditions during this period.

During open enrollment, keep in mind that everything will be more expensive than what you currently have. Health care costs are rising and there's no escaping it. You will see higher premiums, higher deductibles, higher co-pays and higher co-insurance. Make sure the costs are clear to you. Staying with your current plan may be easy, but other plans might be more cost-effective for you. Remember to hoose what's right for you. You know the medical issues you and your family face. Does anyone have a chronic condition? Is there a family history of incapacitating disease? Do you have children? Is someone in your family on prescription medications?

Don't let price alone dictate your decision. Lower costs might mean less coverage - something you can easily miss if you don't do your research. Check that your doctors are in the network of the different health insurance plans. Out-of-network means more money to be paid. You don't want that.

If you miss the open enrollment for health insurance, you cannot change your health insurance plan until the next year. Or unless there has been life status changes such as a birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, a dependent child over the age of eligibility, or a change in employment for you or your spouse.

Use the open enrollment for health insurance to your advantage. If you need to make changes to your current plan, then do so. Mark your calendar with the dates for open enrollment for health insurance. Study your options. The last thing you need is health insurance that you will pay an arm and a leg for, but won't pay for your arm and leg if they get hurt.

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