Open Enrollment is a very crucial time of year that can have a big effect on your health care. It starts in the fall. This is the time of year when you can sign up for, change, or cancel your employer-sponsored health and dental insurance coverage. You don’t want to miss this important window of opportunity!
What is Open Enrollment, and why should I care?
Open Enrollment is the only time of year when you may check your insurance coverage and make sure it still meets the needs of you and your family. People too often let their plans renew automatically without looking at them again. But insurance policies might change from year to year, and your needs may have changed as well.
It’s very vital to be proactive in this process. If you don’t actively examine and choose a different choice, employers may automatically choose an HMO plan, which can continue over from year to year.
Dr. Frank Hackman says: Choose a PPO whenever you can.
Dr. Frank Hackman tells all of our patients to get a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) insurance plan whenever they can and it fits their budget.
Why a PPO?
- Freedom of Choice: With a PPO plan, you can choose your own dentist and specialists without needing a reference.
- Better Coverage: If you are planning on having any significant dental work done in the future year, such as crowns, bridges, or implants, a PPO plan will generally give better coverage and result in reduced out-of-pocket costs for you.
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan usually limits you to a limited group of dentists and may not cover as many services.
Don’t let your plan roll over by default! Take action!
Now is the best time to stand up for yourself. We ask you to:
- Get in touch with your HR department: Contact your company’s benefits manager or Human Resources department.
- Ask to See Your Options: Specifically, ask to see all of the dental plans that will be available for the next year.
- Look at the Dates: Open enrollment normally starts in November, but the time frame is short and the deadline is set in stone. Make sure you know the exact dates for your organization and don’t let them pass you by!
We’re here to help!
It can be hard to figure out insurance, but you don’t have to do it by yourself. Please call us if you have a list of plans to choose from and want to know which one is best for your dental requirements, or if you just want to be sure that the plan you picked is accepted at our office. Our team is delighted to help you figure out your alternatives so you can make a smart choice for a healthy smile in the coming year.
Fall is here, and with it comes an important time of year that can significantly impact your healthcare: Open Enrollment. This is the annual period when you can enroll in, change, or cancel your health and dental insurance plans through your employer. It’s a crucial window of opportunity that you don’t want to miss!
Visit our insurance page here to check for your insurance, or call us at (818) 514-4969 if you have any questions.
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