Reasons To Consider Switching Health Insurance Plans

Did you know that health insurance companies typically auto-enroll you in your same health plan every year if you dont actively cancel your plan?

We get it. Buying health insurance is a pain, and auto-enrollment can seem like a comfortable option. However, since your health, financial, and family situations dont stay the same from year to year, your insurance probably shouldnt either. Spending a little time each Open Enrollment to pick your optimal plan can save you thousands of dollars and get you better care. Here are seven reasons why you might want to consider switching health insurance plans.

Ready to start comparing 2022 health plans? Enter your zip code below and well give you personalized plan recommendations in just a few minutes. Then you can decide if switching plans makes sense for you.

The Real Bachelor Party Hangover: A $12460 Er Bill

People can sign up for Medicaid anytime there’s no need to wait for an annual or special enrollment period.

Those already enrolled in a marketplace plan whose income changes should go back into the marketplace and update their income information as soon as possible. They may be eligible for larger premium subsidies for their marketplace plan or, if their income has dropped significantly, newly eligible for Medicaid.

Q: What about people who signed up under the federal COBRA law to continue their employer coverage after losing their job? Can they drop it and sign up for a marketplace plan?

Yes, people in federal marketplace states can take that step, health experts say. Under COBRA, people can be required to pay the full amount of the premium plus a 2% administrative fee. Marketplace coverage is almost certainly cheaper.

Normally, if people have COBRA coverage and they drop it midyear, they can’t sign up for a marketplace plan until the annual fall open enrollment period. But this special enrollment period will give people that option.

Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, and is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

Types Of Special Enrollment Periods With Limited Plan Category Choices

Enrollees and their dependents who qualify for the most common Special Enrollment Period types like a loss of health insurance, moving to a new home, or a change in household size will only be able to pick a plan from their current plan category.

For example, someone whos already enrolled in a Bronze health plan will only be able to select a new plan from the Bronze category.

Recommended Reading: What Does No Cost Share Mean In Health Insurance

Msp Account Change Request

If you would like to request an update to your address as well as additional MSP account changes, please use the MSP Account Change Request online form. The MSP Account Change Request form allows MSP Account Holders to request multiple changes and submit supporting documentation to:

• Update their address in B.C.
• Update/Correct Personal Information for the Account Holder or other Individuals on the Account
• Add and/or remove a spouse or children and
• Update/Confirm status in Canada.

The online form takes about 15 minutes to complete. No login or password is required: the Account Holders Personal Health Number will be used to verify your account.

If you are covered under a group plan administered by your employer, union or pension office, please do not use this application. Contact your group plan administrator to complete a Group Change Request .

Before you start, make sure that you have documentation to support the requested change. To see supporting documentation that may be required, please go to MSP Account Change FAQs.

Request MSP Account Change

Once the form has been submitted, a reference number will be displayed. Please allow 21 days for account change requests to be reviewed and processed. If your request is successful and no additional information is required, your account will be updated. You will receive a letter from HIBC if additional information is required.

Cancel You Health Plan: Any Time

You can cancel your Marketplace coverage any time. You may need to do this if you get other health coverage, or for another reason.

You can end coverage for:

• Everyone on the application after your coverage has started. Your termination can take effect as soon as the day you cancel, or you can set the Marketplace coverage end date to a day in the future like if you know your new coverage will start on the first day of the following month.
• Just some people on the application. In most cases, their coverage will end immediately.

You May Like: Does The Va Provide Health Insurance

Lost Work Because Of Coronavirus How To Get Unemployment Skip Loan Payments And More

Biden’s move is in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s approach. As COVID-19 took hold last spring and the economy imploded, health experts pleaded with the Trump administration to open up the federal marketplace so people could buy insurance to protect themselves during the worst public health emergency in a century. The administration declined, noting that people who suddenly found themselves without coverage because they lost their jobs were able to sign up on the marketplace under ordinary rules. They also cited concerns that sick people who had resisted buying insurance before would buy coverage and drive up premiums.

The Biden administration is promising to spend $50 million on outreach and education to get the word out about the new special enrollment period. That’s critical, experts say. Though the number of people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans has generally remained robust, the number of new consumers enrolling in the federal marketplace has dropped every year since 2016, according to KFF, corresponding to funding cuts in marketing and outreach.

Here are answers to questions about the new enrollment option.

Q: When can consumers sign up, and in which states?

The sign-up window will be open for three months, from Monday through May 15. Uninsured residents of any of the 36 states that use the federal healthcare.gov platform can look for plans during that time and enroll.

Q What Should I Do If I Move

It is important that ServiceOntario has your current address to ensure your coverage remains active and for any direct communication with you.

There are three ways to update your address:

For more information refer to OHIP Bulletin 8089, fact sheets Changes to OHIP Coverage for Eye Care Services and Health Services.

Northern Health Travel Grant :

You may be eligible for a Northern Health Travel Grant to help pay transportation costs if you live in northern Ontario and must travel long distances for specialty medical care.

Services in Other Canadian Provinces and Territories :

Most of your Ontario health coverage benefits can be used across Canada. The province or territory you are visiting will usually bill Ontario directly. If you have to pay for health services you receive in another part of Canada, you can submit your receipts to your local OHIP Claims office to be considered for reimbursement. Prescription drugs from pharmacies, home care services, ambulance services and long-term care services provided in other provinces and territories are not covered.

Services Outside Canada :

Read Also: Are 1099 Employees Eligible For Health Insurance

Having A Baby: Javier Adopts A Little Girl

Javier, 38, and his husband live in Miami, Florida. They just adopted a three-month-old girl, Lucía, and want to give their daughter the best of everything. Right now, Javiers high-deductible health plan only covers him and his spouse. But he can easily change that. When you welcome a child to your family through birth or adoption, thats considered a qualifying life event. After he brings Lucía home, Javier contacts his health plan to inform them of the event and chooses a lower deductible plan suitable for his entire family.

Will My Rate Remain The Same

As long as you’re not moving, everything should remain the same on your insurance policy. However, the transfer takes place at your renewal and your rate is subject to change at renewal time. If your rates were going to change, then it will happen regardless of whether you are with a new agent or not.

It is always a good idea to review your insurance policy at renewal time. Double-check your paperwork for your new insurance agent’s name to verify the transfer was completed.

If you need to switch sooner than your renewal, you will have to go through the quote process. Getting a new quote through the same insurance carrier could affect your rates due to losing any earned discounts.

Switching insurance agents may seem intimidating, but it is a fairly simple process. Do not let an agent’s bad service keep you from the insurance carrier of your choice. A helpful insurance agent is out there waiting for your call. You just have to find them.

You May Like: Does Cigna Health Insurance Cover Eye Exams

Get The Healthcare You Need

Beginning in 2019, the Trump administration removed the individual mandate penalty that charged fees to the uninsured. However, living without health insurance can leave you and your family on the hook for expensive medical treatment and care in the event of an accident or emergency. If youre currently uninsured, take the time today to review your options for getting covered your body will thank you.

Choosing A Health Insurance Plan

Reading the fine print is important when choosing health care plans. These questions may help:

• Can I go to any doctor, hospital, clinic, or pharmacy I choose?
• Are specialists, such as eye doctors and dentists covered?
• Does the plan cover special conditions or treatments such as pregnancy, psychiatric care, and physical therapy?
• Does the plan cover home care or nursing home care?
• Will the plan cover all medications my physician may prescribe?
• What are the deductibles? This is the amount you must pay each year before your insurance company will begin paying claims.
• Are there any co-payments? This is the amount of money you pay each time you receive medical services or a prescription.
• If there is a dispute about a bill or service, how is it handled?

Don’t Miss: Can I Get Health Insurance Outside Of The Marketplace

If You Experience A Qualifying Life Event Sign Up Right Away

In most situations, youll need to make changes to your health plan within a specific time frame of the qualifying life event. Missing this deadline could mean having to wait until the next open enrollment, which could be as long as a year. For more information, check your plan materials or contact your employer.

If youre between enrollment periods and havent experienced a qualifying life event, short term health insurance is an option to bridge the gap. That way, you can help assure that youre not without insurance at any point.

Protect Your Familys Health You May Qualify For Health Coverage We Are Here To Help

The New Mexico Medicaid Program, beWellnm , and the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool are working together to help you find health coverage during this unprecedented and challenging time. If you have had a recent change in employment or income, have lost your current plan or wish to become insured for the first time, we may have a good option for you.

All three programs cover comprehensive benefits like doctors visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, mental health services and more. All testing and treatment related to COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to you.

Also Check: Who Accepts Bright Health Insurance

Q I Have Had My Name Legally Changed How Do I Have My New Name Put On My Health Card

To change your name on your health card to reflect your new legal name, you must visit a ServiceOntario Centre, complete a Change of Information and present the original of one of the following:

• Certified copy of the court order for a change in name
• Change of name certificate
• Adoption court order

If you do not already have a photo health card, you must also provide three original documents to prove citizenship, Ontario residence and identity.

If you have any questions regarding your own specific situation, call the ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161.

Q Do I Need To Cancel My Ohip Coverage If I Plan To Move To A Location Outside Ontario

You should contact the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with any change of address. If you move to a location outside Ontario, you should inform the ministry of your new address and the date of your move as soon as possible. To inform the ministry of your move, you can either :

• Obtain a Change of Information and return it by mail. Forms are available from your local ServiceOntario Centre or from the Forms Online

• Send a letter to your local ServiceOntario Centre. You must include your name, health card number, telephone number, current address and new address including postal code.

The ministry will end your OHIP coverage based on the information that you provide.

Read Also: How Much Is Insurance For Health

Figure Out If Youre Eligible To Enroll For A New Plan

Everyone is eligible to buy a new healthcare plan during the ACAs Open Enrollment period. Enroll by December 15, 2020, and coverage starts January 1, 2021.

If Open Enrollment isnt open, you may sign up for a new healthcare plan if you qualify for a Special Enrollment period. Some of the events that can trigger a Special Enrollment period include:

If you qualify for a Special Enrollment period, you have 60 days from the onset of your qualifying event to enroll. To begin the enrollment process, contact the . The representative will ask you a few questions about your circumstances and will help you enroll in a plan.

If you currently have a plan and you qualify for a Special Enrollment period, your representative can help you cancel your current plan and make sure you dont have any coverage gaps.

If you dont qualify for a Special Enrollment period, you have a few options to get covered. If you believe that your rejection was incorrect, you can file an appeal. If a representative accepts your appeal, youll gain access to a Special Enrollment period.

To complete an appeal, download your states appeal form, fill it out and mail it.

You should also include eligibility documentation with your appeal form. While this isnt required, it will help your appeal go through faster.

Q Are Open Work Permit Holders And/or Participants In Citizenship And Immigration Canada’s Post

Open work permit holders may be eligible for Ontario health insurance coverage provided they are employed full-time for an employer in Ontario for a minimum of six months, have a valid work permit during this time, and they:

• maintain their primary place of residence in Ontario and are
• physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period and are
• physically present in Ontario for 153 of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province.

Further information on the changes concerning Temporary Foreign Workers can be found on a fact sheet entitled Temporary Foreign Workers.

You May Like: What Is The Best Supplemental Health Insurance For Medicare

Talk To The Prospective New Agent

Talk to your new prospective agent. Let them know what you have been dealing with and what you are looking for in an insurance agent. Once you get a good feel for them, ask them how to go about transferring your current policy over to them. Keep in mind, this only works if you are switching to an agent who sells insurance for the same insurance carrier in the same state.

Your Prescriptions Might No Longer Be Covered

Your health insurance company may decide to no longer cover a prescription it can even alter how much of the prescription it covers. To avoid getting slammed with unexpected charges at the pharmacy, check with your insurance company to make sure your medications will be covered next year. If something changes, switch to a plan that gets you the coverage you need.

Recommended Reading: What Is Employer Group Health Insurance

Health Plan Report Cards

People across Texas shared their thoughts about their health plan, and rated them, one to five stars, on the services their plan provided.You can compare plans using the overall ratings or by looking at the services that matter the most for you and your family.

You can view the report cards on the Managed Care Report Cards page. Click the program you are enrolled in and find your service area to see plans available to you.

How Do Health Insurance Companies Know If You Smoke

Health insurers consider you a smoker, subject to a hefty premium surcharge if you used any tobacco products four or more times a week in the past six months.

Some regular smokers facing a steep premium increase may be tempted to avoid telling the truth. Dont do it. If youre not honest about tobacco, you risk being charged with insurance fraud. Even such soft fraud is considered a misdemeanor and can result in sentences of probation, community service or even time in jail. Not to mention, youll very likely lose your insurance or at least be charged all the back money you owe as a smoker.

Although its nearly unheard of for an insurer or employer to actively investigate whether you smoke, your doctor will probably note tobacco use in your medical records as a result of routine blood and urine analysis. That paper trail could be uncovered and flagged as your insurer is reviewing your treatment before paying your bills.

Obviously, being honest when you answer enrollment questions is in your best interest.

Don’t Miss: Why Did My Health Insurance Go Down