Shopping for Health Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know
The time of year for individuals to buy health insurance plans is called open enrollment, and it’s about to kick off. For individuals and families who are buying their own insurance for 2020, open enrollment begins on Nov. 1, 2019 and lasts until Dec. 15, 2019.
If you’re under 65 and don’t have health insurance through your employer, a spouse, or a program like Medicaid, chances are you need to purchase an individual or family plan of your own. No matter if this is your first time getting covered, or if you are looking to compare plans and save, the deadline to take action is Dec. 15, 2019.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re picking a plan. Do you want an HMO or a PPO? What can you afford to pay for your copay, deductible and coinsurance? How frequently will you use essential health benefits?
It’s normal to have a lot of questions – and Blue Cross is here to help answer them. Here are three easy ways to get help getting covered for 2020.
- Online: Visit BCBSM’s open enrollment webpage here to review plans and shop for coverage for 2020. If you already have an online account for a Blue Cross individual or family plan that’s in your name you’ll be asked to log in. If not, you’ll be asked a few simple questions to get a quote for your coverage.
- In-person: Want to talk to someone in-person? Visit one of Blue Cross’ statewide walk-in centers to get the help you need. Some locations are even offering flu shots on Mondays through Dec. 9. Please note holidays could affect hours of operation and agents and health plan advisors may not be on-site at all times at Blue Cross walk-in centers.
- Over the phone: Call a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan health plan advisor at 1-855-237-3501, or fill out this form to have a health plan advisor call you.
You might be confused about how to get coverage that works for you. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s expert health plan advisors can help you understand and find coverage that could be more affordable than you think.
If you found this post helpful, you should read these:
- A Guide to Common Health Care Terms
- Free Flu Shots for Members at BCBSM and BCN Walk-in Centers
- Blue Cross Online Visits: Making Mental Health from Anywhere a Possibility
Photo credit: mapodile
Hello,
I have had BCBS through work and now that I am retired and turned 65 in July, I have Medicare as my primary and BCBS became supplemental.
I have since discovered that my bills for seeing the orthopedic doc for my arthritis in my knee is costing much more out of pocket for shots and X-rays.
What coverage do I need to cover X-rays and co-pays?
Hi Robin, We’d be happy to help you find coverage to best suit your needs. If you could please provide us with some information at this link, http://miblues.co/1Bb6oI4, a member of our team will reach out directly. Thank you, Taylar
all the talk of a low rate increase this year in Michigan from BCBS that would be only 1.1% to 4.2 %
why is my plan going up 31 % in one year ?
Hi Glen, We understand your frustration and would like to discuss this further with you. Please share some more information with us here: http://miblues.co/1Bb6oI4, and we’ll be in touch to talk through your coverage. Thanks, Catia