Open enrollment

by Guest » Thu Nov 13, 2008 07:15 am
Guest

What is an Open enrollment? Any tips?

Total Comments: 5

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 08:21 am Post Subject:

Open enrollment is the period of time when the members of a group health plan can choose from the different benefits plans to enroll with. Normally, it's the month of November, during which the enrollees opt for the benefit programs to continue with in the next year.

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 09:22 am Post Subject:

Carefully read and understand the policy benefits and also compare the coverage as well as the price before selecting a plan. You may keep the following in mind while choosing the plan….

  • Check whether or not the plan includes your physician, therapist and hospital in your area.
  • Check the benefits offered by the plan. Clarifies if the plan covers the dependants, some plans may cover the spouses whereas others may not.
  • Review the plan for the pre-existing condition exclusion.
  • Check against the list of prescription drugs that the plan covers. If you're currently under medication whether the plan covers those medicines.


Most importantly, if some part of the plan isn't clear to you ask the agent for clarification.

Hope it helps.

~Jreremy

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 09:48 am Post Subject:

Don't continue with the existing plan without reviewing the policy. Many employees do that to save the time and hassle that are required in selecting a new plan. Often times the provider may alter the rate of co-pay and deductibles, which go unnoticed since the employee don't review the plan.

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:00 pm Post Subject:

Open enrollment also applies to Medicare Programs...and is Jan 1 - March 31 (Open Enrollment Period). The Annual Election Period (which is Nov 15th - Dec 31) allows Medicare benficiaries to make virtually any change they desire (including prescription drug changes) whereas the only changes during OEP are to like plans.

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 05:26 pm Post Subject:

Open Enrollment with regard to small group insurance policies is usually the month preceding the policy anniversary date. This is the period of time that small groups can add new members who have declined to enroll when they had the opportunity initially (after being hired, and satisfying eligibility requirements, a new hire has a certain period of time to enroll) because they opted out of the plan for other coverage (spousal coverage, for instance). Like Jeorge said, plan administrators can change plan benefits and eligbility requirements during this period. Hope that helps.

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