Experts Give Tips for Getting a Health Insurance Plan Before the Deadline

AUSTIN, TX – Open enrollment for next year’s health insurance coverage is underway. It debuted this month and is open until mid-January.

Experts gave some tips on how to get a health insurance plan before the deadline.

“For Travis County, this year we have 10 providers offering over 132 plans. There are a lot of options for people this year, and this year’s options are very similar to last year,” says Program Director Prosper. Kori Hattemer.

Kori Hattemer works at Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit based in Austin.

Prosper Programs is a branch of the organization that helps guide those who need insurance coverage through the process.

“We talk with them to understand their health care needs, which doctors they want to see, what prescriptions they have, then look at their budget to see what they can afford to pay in premiums, deductibles and co-pays ” Hattemer said.

According to Healthcare.gov, this year open enrollment began on November 1 and ends on January 16. Registering before December 15 will allow your health insurance to start early next year.

“Last year, we saw a record 2.4 million Texans sign up for a plan through Healthcare.gov,” said Karla Martinez, a Texas health policy analyst.

“If you don’t have health insurance through your job or otherwise and need health insurance for 2024, this is your chance to sign up for it. People who work for themselves, musicians, independent contractors, people who work for small businesses, maybe you work in a daycare or restaurant and your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, the market is a very good option,” Hattemer said.

Hattemer says Healthcare.gov’s marketplace insurance has plans that work for those who don’t have coverage through employment and provides financial assistance.

“Depending on your income, some customers pay zero dollars per month in premiums because they qualify for enough premium tax credits to offset the total cost,” Hattemer said.

“People who aren’t able to get health insurance through their job, or can’t afford it, if they’re within a certain income range, they can get help on a sliding scale based on their income to be able to pay their monthly premiums,” Martinez said.

According to Director of Programs Prosper, if you miss the open enrollment deadline, a qualifying life event may allow you to enroll in a Marketplace plan.

“If you lose your job, move, have a baby, get married, divorce, there are a lot of life events like that that automatically qualify you for health insurance. You have a short window for that, so don’t expect big changes,” Hattemer said.