WAUSAU, Wis. – It’s time to start thinking about your health care coverage as it’s that time of year again–it’s annual health insurance open enrollment. This time offers the opportunity to enroll in health insurance or to reassess healthcare needs related to your coverage for the coming year.
Open enrollment is a designated period during which individuals and families can sign up for or make changes to their health insurance plans. This year’s open enrollment starts Nov. 1, 2023, and ends on Jan. 15, 2024. During this time, you can enroll in a new plan, switch plans, or adjust your current coverage.
“It’s critical that people utilize this time to make their health plan decisions for the year,” said Sara Seubert, Aspirus Health Plan Director. “Outside of special enrollment periods, open enrollment is the only time individuals can enroll in or make changes to their policies.”
A special enrollment period (SEP), is a life event such as getting married, having a baby, losing other coverage, etc. SEPs provide an opportunity to take another look at your coverage.
What to consider during open enrollment:
- Assess your needs: Evaluate factors such as prescription medications, ongoing treatments, and anticipated medical procedures.
- Evaluate plan options: Health insurance plans vary in terms of coverage, network of doctors and hospitals, and cost.
- Network of providers: If you have preferred doctors, specialists, or hospitals, make sure they are in the network. Going out-of-network can lead to higher costs.
- Prescription drug coverage: Review the plan’s formulary to ensure your prescription medications are covered.
For more information about health care coverage, go to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services WisCovered website, or the Aspirus Health Plan website.
Aspirus Health is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wis., with 4 hospitals in Michigan and 13 hospitals in Wisconsin, 75 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes, and a broad network of physicians. For more information, visit aspirus.org.