For those currently employed, you can make changes now during your employers Open Enrollment. The ACA open enrollment period ends on 12/15/2017 in states that use the healthcare.gov website. Some states have different enrollment periods. Check the guidelines in your state for enrollment dates. Health insurance plans will be effective January 1^st. Hurricane Irma and Harvey victims can enroll until 12/31/2017.

As always you can make open enrollment changes when a qualifying event occurs such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or adoption, loss of health coverage, moving to a different state, or becoming a U.S. citizen. Alaskans and Native Americans and can enroll year-round.  Applicants who are eligible for Medicaid can also enroll year-round. Here are x steps to health make open enrollment a smooth process.

COVERAGE

All plans cover doctors’ visits and services, inpatient and outpatient care, prescriptions, mental health services, pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and childbirth, dental coverage for children and preventive services. Insurance plans cannot reject you, refuse to pay for basic services or charge more for service prior to the start of coverage. Once enrolled in a plan, you cannot be denied coverage.

VERIFY

Verify all of your health information is accurate. If you have benefits that will no longer be paid, ask your health plan provider if you can pay for the services using a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account.

CHILDREN

Children up to age 26 can be added to their parent’s health insurance plans and be considered qualified dependents for a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account.

PRESCRIPTIONS
Reimbursement from a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account for over-the-counter medications and drug purchases requires a doctor’s prescription.

INSURANCE
During Open Enrollment you should also sign up for dental, vision, and life insurance benefits. Learn the different between the main health insurance plans such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), and Point-of-Service (POS) plans.

COMPARISON SHOP
Comparison shop during Open Enrollment season and consider the cost of the plan including but not limited to: the monthly cost of each plan, deductibles, services provided and prescriptions costs. Coverage should also be based on what you can afford and what is best for your family.