Key Open Enrollment Tips When Choosing a Health Plan

Millions of Americans face big decisions this year as they enroll in a health insurance plan. In many households, those decisions fall CIGNA-WOMEN-7oct2013to women. That’s why Cigna has conducted a nationwide survey to learn more about how women view health care.

What did the survey show?

  • Affordability of health care coverage is the biggest concern
  • Women have trouble understanding the health care system
  • Many want help with health care costs and benefits

For more results from the survey, click on the info graphic to the right!

  1.  Don’t assume.  Check each year to make sure your doctor or a doctor you’d like to see participates in your health plan’s network.
  2. Think about your health history and health care needs.  Consider how much you spend on average for health care in a plan year.  How might that change in the upcoming year? For example, are you having a baby?  Do you or your child need braces? Are you planning to have surgery?
  3. Confirm your prescription drugs are covered.  To help you plan, it’s a good idea to know how much your maintenance drug costs.  Learn whether a generic or over-the-counter medication is available and appropriate for you.  Compare the cost of your medicine at different pharmacies.
  4. Check what’s offered by your health plan: consumers can save money by using many of the services included in their health plan benefits, such as preventive care, discounts to gyms and weight loss programs or health and wellness programs.
  5. Look online: Health plans often have online information and mobile access to tools that can help compare cost and quality among doctors or hospitals and prescription drugs.  Online information may also include coaching programs, as well as easy ways to check claim status or get additional information about covered benefits.
  6.  If you are enrolling in an employer plan, your  employer is a resource:  Find out if your employer is offering an enrollment fair and if so, go. Read the enrollment materials from your employer. Some employers have a Web site or hotline where you can get help.
  7.  Know when open enrollment begins and know the enrollment deadline. Submit your enrollment choices by the  deadline!
  8.  Don’t forget about dental, vision and disability insurance. These are important coverages too.

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