"Hi, everyone, this is Dr. Stephanie Camaglia Reznick. I'm a board certified internist and one of the medical directors for Virtual Primary Care here at Oscar.
This means that unless you have a qualifying life event (opens in new tab), things like having a baby, getting married or divorced, moving, that this is your only chance outside of employee based insurance to get health coverage for 2021.
When people are looking for plans, I tend to recommend that they consider three things.
First, what do you expect your healthcare costs to be next year? If you aren't expecting any health changes, look at this year for an estimate. Keep in mind that some things may be planned like elective surgery or pregnancy, and you should keep that in mind.
The second thing to consider is what you're expecting your income to be next year, as you may qualify for a discount on your premium. A premium is the amount of money you paid just to have the health care insurance month to month.
Finally, think about what dealbreakers or your must haves — the doctors, medications, or healthcare systems that must be in the plan. Then make sure that when you sign up for a plan that those medications doctors or healthcare systems are in fact in network.
Another thing I always like to remind people to consider is that the cost of the insurance isn't just the premium. Take into consideration the total cost, meaning not just the premium, but the copays and deductibles, including medication copays or deductibles that may apply throughout the year.
Depending on the specifics of your health and what happens next year, sometimes the plan with the cheapest premium, ultimately is not the cheapest one for you. So, pay attention to the details as they apply.
I hope you found this information helpful as you look through Open Enrollment and pick the plan that's best for you."
*Oscar’s Virtual Care offerings vary by market and may not be available in your service area. Oscar’s Virtual Care offerings are not available in US territories or internationally. Prescriptions, visits and services may be limited per provider discretion. Virtual Providers are employed by Oscar Medical Group and are not employed by Oscar Insurance. Virtual Primary Care is not available in CA. If you have an HSA-compatible high-deductible health plan or a Secure plan in any state, you won't be eligible for $0 follow-up services.
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
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