MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 2, 2016) - Consumers who missed the open enrollment deadline for 2016 or who are waiting for employer coverage to kick in don't have to go uninsured. AgileHealthInsurance.com has issued the following tips for consumers who are seeking affordable coverage.
Tips for Consumers Who Missed the Open Enrollment Period
1. Check to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period. Under the Affordable Care Act, consumers seeking to individually purchase health insurance must enroll during the annual enrollment period. The enrollment period for 2016 coverage ended Jan. 31, 2016. However, exceptions are made for individuals who have specific life events like having a baby, losing existing health insurance coverage or getting married. The federal government recently eliminated several special enrollment periods. For an updated list of qualifying events, go to HealthCare.gov.
2. Compare your options if you qualify for a special enrollment period. When trying to minimize health care expenses, it pays to shop around. There are several online sites that make comparison shopping easy. Depending on where you live, you can compare Obamacare plans at HealthCare.gov, on your own state's marketplace, or at other sites like HealthPocket.com, which aggregates data across multiple sources to include both Obamacare, as well as health insurance alternatives like term health insurance.
3. Look into term health insurance. Term health insurance is health coverage that is used for a defined period of time. In most states, the term can be 364 days or less, depending on how long you need coverage. You can purchase term health insurance any time, and plans include doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency care and other health benefits. Term health insurance represents a distinct category of health insurance that is generally more affordable than Obamacare plans. The benefit and eligibility differences contribute to the cost savings realized by consumers.
4. Use health savings account (HSA) funds for qualified medical expenses. If you have an HSA, that money remains yours, even if you lose a job and the coverage that goes along with it. You can use HSA funds for a range of medical expenses, including doctor's fees, prescription drugs and dental treatment. You generally can't use HSA funds for health insurance premiums. However there is an exception for people receiving unemployment benefits.
"Selecting health care coverage is a major decision that requires careful consideration," said Sam Gibbs, executive director of AgileHealthInsurance.com. "It's important for people to know all their options so they can make the right choices for themselves and their families."
AgileHealthInsurance is the Internet's first site dedicated to helping consumers understand the benefits of term health insurance. These new plans are the culmination of extensive research on health insurance needs in the Affordable Care Act era, and consumers will be able to find the lowest prices for term health plans at AgileHealthInsurance.com. AgileHealthInsurance also provides best-of-class plan comparison and online enrollment tools to accompany these new plans. Additional information can be found at www.AgileHealthInsurance.com.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Amy Fletcher
720-350-3144