This year many people may find themselves looking for health insurance on Utah's marketplace for the first time, possibly due to a loss of employment. And there are less than two weeks left to sign up.
Scott Baird from Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah says, "The time to act is now."
Baird says there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at your plan options. "When you're looking at plans, you'll find that there are three different metallic levels. Bronze will offer the lowest premium and slightly lower benefits. Silver plans will be kind of middle of the road. And gold plans will have the highest benefits, but also the highest premiums."
It can be overwhelming for many to choose, so Baird says to keep a few key things in mind. "What were your medical expenses for 2020? Will they be the same for 2021? Can you get medical coverage through your own employer or your spouse?"
Other things to keep in mind - Do you foresee any big life changes or a chance in income or possible move? And finally, compare the premiums to help determine the best fit for you you and your family. Baird says, "That'll be the number one thing for most people. You know, what can I actually afford?"
He says your overall health, age and income are also key factors in selecting your plan.
Baird says in 2021 telehealth is something that will be part of most plans, but you'll want to make sure that your doctor is available. "At Regence alone this year, we have seen over a 5,000 percent increase in the physicians who are using telehealth. So it's no longer limited to just primary care, it's physical therapy and cardiologists."
Baird says even if you think you may go with a private carrier, the best place to get started is healthcare.gov. "This is the only way that consumers in this market can qualify for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit or also known as the subsidy."
Choosing a plan may be daunting, but it is important to make sure you and your family are covered. "It's hard to know what the next year's going to bring, but try to use what happened this year. That's usually a solid foundation for what's going to happen next year," says Baird.
Open enrollment ends on December 15th, so don't delay. Now is the time to get your family covered for 2021.
And if you have questions, Regence is here to help! Join us at 12 p.m. Friday, December 4th on the FOX 13 Facebook page. Representatives will be available to answer your open enrollment questions live.