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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

What you must know about health insurance open enrollment

By Lynn Lopez

Most employees end up staying with the health insurance provider they had when they first joined the company they work for. But they don't have to. You don't have to. There is such a thing as the health insurance open enrollment.

What exactly is health insurance open enrollment? It is that time of the year when eligible employees can seek and implement changes to their health insurance. The change can refer to changes to your coverage, dependents, or health insurance plan. In fact, you can even cancel your coverage during this period. You can exercise your choice to check out what other providers are offering, especially if you are displeased with your current plan, during health insurance open enrollment period. What makes health insurance open enrollment period important? Simple: no one can be denied enrollment in the health insurance plan of your choice, despite you and your dependents' pre-existing medical conditions. You do not have to present evidence of insurability.

Let health insurance open enrollment be your friend. Don't stay with a health insurance provider if their coverage leaves much to be desired. Don't hesitate to change your plan after considering you and your dependents' changing needs. Don't wait until the following year to implement changes to your health insurance plan. Don't take the easy way out. Brand loyalty should not come into play when it comes to health plans. After all, health insurance is a commodity. Health care options are out there. Find the right insurance plan that meets your needs. You should just be willing to sit down and determine what suits your health care requirements.

Take into account the dates for the health insurance open enrollment period. It is possible that your company offers at least two health insurance plans. Review the plans they offer. Ask your colleagues about their plans. If you feel the plans offered aren't as comprehensive as you want, perhaps you can suggest alternative health insurance providers to your company's benefits coordinator that they can look into. Be attentive and conscientious. It will pay off to your advantage.

Be actively involved when it comes to your health care benefits. If possible, watch it like a hawk. You do pay for it, so make sure you're paying for health care coverage that provides you with the most bang for your buck. Since everything is more expensive already what with higher premiums, higher deductibles, higher co-pays and higher co-insurance, there is no point paying so much for coverage that doesn't meet your expectations when there are plans that are more cost-effective. Remember that with health insurance plans, relying solely on price will cost you more in the long run.

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