2021 Open Enrollment Quickstart Guide
Every year, the health insurance marketplace (also called Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act) requires that you renew your policy, change plans, or – if you don’t have insurance – sign up for the first time. The open enrollment period is coming up, so it’s important that you get up to speed on requirements for 2020.
Whether you want to get new coverage, keep your plan, or update your health insurance policy, you’ve come to the right place!
When it comes to your health, you need accurate information from a trusted health insurance advisor to help you purchase a policy that meets all your needs and is within your budget.
Don’t go it alone when you’re enrolling in health insurance for the first time! There’s a lot of information you probably won’t understand. So rely on a local expert to help you navigate the ins and outs of complex health insurance policies.
Put your healthcare in faithful hands. We’ll guide you through the entire process, from start to finish, walking you through all of the options, and explaining complicated health insurance concepts and policy language in simple-to-understand terms.
You can ask as many questions as possible – until you are confident that you have all the information you need to make an educated decision – about topics like:
- Family plans.
- Individual plans.
- Prescription drug coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Short-term healthcare.
- Low-priced health insurance plans.
- High-deductible health insurance plans.
- Coinsurance and deductibles.
- Premiums.
- Bronze, silver, gold, platinum plans.
- And more!
But that’s not the last time you’ll connect with us. Any time you have a question about a claim or your policy, give us a call!
We’re committed to offering you the highest quality continuity of service. So pick up the phone and speak to the same expert every time! We pride ourselves on really getting to know you, your family, and your needs.
Don’t let the annual open enrollment period pass you by without reviewing your health insurance coverage, because:
- Carriers may be offering a new policy or have made changes to their policies, which means you could get more coverage for the same cost.
- Your health insurance needs may have changed over the last year, and you may need more comprehensive coverage – or even less!
- Ensure you’re not overpaying for health insurance.
Review your health insurance needs with a pro before making a change. Get a free no-obligation quote now so you can confidently re-enroll in your current policy or purchase an upgrade when open enrollment comes around starting Nov. 1.
Open Enrollment Facts
During open enrollment, you can:
- Apply for the first time.
- Switch to a new plan.
- Renew your plan. (This happens automatically, so be sure to assess if your existing plan meets your needs. If it doesn’t, you can switch plans.)
- Reapply for your 2019 tax credit.
Purchase a plan anytime during open enrollment and your coverage will begin on January 1, 2021.
Special Enrollment
If you experience a qualifying life event, you can purchase a new health insurance plan at any time of year. A few of these events include:
- Losing your job
- Getting a divorce
- Getting married
- Losing your spouse
- Giving birth to a child
- Experiencing changes to your employer-provided coverage
Open Enrollment Penalties
If you don’t sign up for a plan during open enrollment – and you don’t meet the guidelines for a qualifying life event – you may end up owing the government a tax penalty for not having health insurance.
The 2018 penalties were:
- For a single person: $695 or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher. The maximum penalty is $13,100.
- For a family: $2,085 or 2.5% of your income, whichever is higher. The maximum penalty is $13,000.
The good news is, for 2021 there are NO penalties for not signing up for health insurance.
Be sure to try and purchase coverage during open enrollment. Then, if you can’t purchase or miss the deadline, consider other options like short-term health insurance, employer-provided coverage, CHIP or Medicaid.
Financial Help
Find out if you qualify for financial assistance in the form of health insurance tax credits – or the amount of money you can subtract on taxes owed to the government. An expert can help you figure out if you qualify for a tax credit based on your household income and family size.
You should sign up for health insurance during open enrollment if you:
- Don’t have employer-provided insurance or have access to a plan through your spouse’s employer.
- Don’t hold coverage through the government (such as Medicaid).
- Are over 26 and are no longer covered by your parent’s policy.
- Need a different network of providers.
- Have a plan that doesn’t meet your needs.
- Have employer-provided coverage that changes and/or doesn’t meet the Affordable Care Act guidelines.
- Need to see a doctor that isn’t in your current network.
- Have budget changes
There are three ways to enroll. Learn which one is right for you.
PHONE
Talk to the independent health insurance experts at InsureOne Benefits (1-800-722-7331) and ensure continuity of care by having the same person providing you with service.
Talk to a Marketplace Advisor. But if you have follow up questions, good luck talking to the same person twice!
Download the 15-page application, fill it out and send it in!
ONLINE
Navigate to the marketplace and sign up on your own!
Check out these Marketplace health insurance resources for more information!
Or call us now to get a free no-obligation quote!