What To Know When Picking A Health Care Plan

Doctor holding pill and glass of water
Shiavon Chatman
May 21, 2021

When Serena Williams had life-threatening childbirth complications, it wasn’t celebrity that saved her – it was knowledge. She knew what was safe for her. 

Picking a health care plan you feel safe with – and can afford – is EXTREMELY important. And we’ve got your back! Here’s what you need to know.

First: when and where to enroll. Because of COVID, President Biden extended HealthCare.gov signups until August 15 – but several states operate separately from the federal site. Know where your state stands! 

As you sign up, you have to compare ALL of your options – a different plan could mean MUCH different costs.

Healthcare terms are confusing, but comparing all aspects of each plan is crucial. 

The “premium” is what you pay every month. A “deductible” is what you have to pay FIRST before the plan starts covering your expenses. And a “co-pay” is paid each time you visit the doctor.

You don’t need a fancy job to have healthcare – you have options! If you’re low-income, these include Medicaid and CHIP. If you’re older, Medicare could be for you. If you lost your job, look into COBRA. Find what’s cost-effective and safe for YOU.

It’s hard, but not impossible to find a good health plan that works for us. We have to do our research – in this case, our lives depend on it!

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