Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period this year is only 45-days – November 1st through December 15th.  This is your only time to purchase or make changes to your coverage.  To purchase it any other time in the year, you need to have a SEP -Special Enrollment Period.   Make it a priority to review your coverage and check your current plan’s network and ensure your doctors are still in the network.  As a result of the network changes,  do not assume because last year the provider was in network, they will be in their network the next policy year.

Carriers to Consider

Oscar

The insurance carrier Oscar is a new company serving the Austin health insurance market.  They are an EPO-Exclusive Provider Organization.  An Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) health insurance plan requires you to use the doctors and hospitals within its own network. As an EPO member, you cannot go outside your plan’s network for care. Also, note that there are no out-of-network benefits under an EPO health insurance plan.  Oscar plan does allow for self-referral within the network.  They as well have a Telemedicine included at no cost to allow you consult with an online doctor and they can prescribe for routine needs. You can check out Oscars product offerings and sign up with them using this link: Oscar 2018 Plans and Enrollment.  They have Scott and White and Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) in the network.

Vista 360 Health

Vista 360 Health is another carrier worth checking out in the Austin market.  headquartered in Austin, Vista has been growing their network of doctors.  They have just added Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC) to their list of in-network doctors.  Being a local carrier Vista 360  was familiar with and focused on their network of doctors starting with the two big groups ARC (Austin Regional Clinic) and ADC (Austin Diagnostic Clinic).  All of Vista 360 plans have Telemedicine included at no extra cost, it can really save you a trip to the urgent care or the primary care office.  They leverage the ARC Telemedicine, so the doctors are Austin doctors who support the service for Vista 360 Health.  You can check out their 2018 plan using this link: Vista 360 Health Plans and Enrollment.

Now is a time to enroll in health coverage, or make changes to your plan selection.  Take advantage to review all your options before the Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period ends on December 15th, 2018.  If you are confused, frustrated or need assistance in finding a plan, please work with a broker or agent.  There is no charge to working with an agent to help you find the best options.  We may even have suggestions you may not have thought about.