Special Enrollment Period Opened for Affordable Care Act Plans
Blues Perspectives
| 2 min read
A special enrollment period has been established to allow people to sign up for 2021 Marketplace health insurance coverage. If you are applying for the first time, the following are tips to help you shop for a plan.
WHEN CAN I ENROLL?
The newly expanded timeframe to enroll for health insurance coverage runs from Monday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 15.
STEPS TO PREPARE
Get familiar. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the Marketplace – sometimes called the “exchange” – by reading up on frequently asked questions. Gather the documents you will need. To ensure you are prepared and have everything you need, use a checklist. While applying, you will be asked about your household, income and current coverage, and you may need to refer to specific documents such as W-2s, pay stubs or tax returns. Prepare questions. Make a list of any possible question you may have. For example, you may want to stay with your current doctor or wonder how traveling may affect your health coverage. Set a budget. There are plans designed to fit many different needs and budgets. You will need to know how much you are able to spend on premiums each month and how much you would like to pay out-of-pocket for medications and services.
HELP GETTING COVERED
It is normal to have a lot of questions, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is here to help answer them. Online: Visit BCBSM.com to review plans and shop for coverage. 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. Over the phone: Call a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan health plan advisor at 800-227-8544, or fill out this form to have a health plan advisor call you. Selecting a health care plan can be confusing. Blue Cross’ expert health plan advisors can help you understand and find coverage that could be more affordable than you think. Related:
- Special Enrollment: Finding Health Coverage During COVID-19
- Blue Cross to Cover the Cost of Telemedicine During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan lowers rates, offers new $0 premium and copay plans, added supplemental benefits for 2021 Medicare annual enrollment period
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