Roy Willis Insurance CornerHealth Insurance Open Enrollment: It’s That Time of Year Again!

By Roy Willis Insurance Agency

Well, folks, it’s that magical time of year again! No, we’re not talking about Christmas, Thanksgiving, or the annual migration of snowbirds to warmer climates. We’re talking about Health Insurance Open Enrollment.

Yes, it’s the season when Americans everywhere gather around their computers, scratch their heads, and attempt to understand words like deductible, copayment, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

It’s enough to make a grown man reach for the aspirin—assuming his insurance covers it!

The Annual Insurance Puzzle

Choosing health insurance can feel like assembling a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, except somebody hid the picture on the box and half the pieces are labeled “subject to deductible.”

You might ask yourself, “Do I want a lower monthly premium or a lower deductible?”

That’s a little like asking whether you’d rather pay for your truck before you drive it or every time you turn the key.

And then there’s the provider network. You finally find a plan you like, only to discover your favorite doctor isn’t in the network. That’s like buying a season ticket to the rodeo and finding out the cowboys aren’t included!

Don’t Let the Alphabet Soup

Scare You

There’s HMO, PPO, EPO, HSA, ACA, and enough abbreviations to make you think you’re reading a government spy manual.

Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

Here in New Mexico, we have the BeWellNM Marketplace, and our Texas neighbors can explore coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Depending on your household income and eligibility, you may even qualify for financial assistance that lowers your monthly premium.

Now that’s something worth smiling about!

Why Wait Until the Last Minute?

Every year, somebody waits until the deadline and suddenly realizes they need health insurance.

That’s about as much fun as discovering your truck registration expired while you’re sitting in front of a state trooper.

Open Enrollment lets you review your current coverage, compare plans, and make changes for the coming year.

Even if you like your present plan, it’s smart to check whether the premiums, deductibles, prescription coverage, or doctor networks have changed.

We’re Here to Help!

There are a number of local agents available to help you. We believe choosing health insurance shouldn’t require a law degree, a calculator, and three cups of strong coffee.

We’ll help you explore your options, understand the fine print, and find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Remember, folks: Health insurance may not be exciting, but neither is paying a hospital bill out of your own pocket.

And unlike your Uncle Earl’s fishing stories, we’ll try to keep the explanations short!

Roy Willis Insurance Agency—Helping Southeastern New Mexico make sense of health insurance, one policy at a time.