October 1, 2013 marks the start of the Open Enrollment period for health insurance. From October 1 – March 31, 2014, Americans will be able to purchase health insurance with an effective date as early as January 1, 2014.
And remember, everyone MUST have health insurance by the first of the year! Are you ready?
Here are 7 easy steps you can follow:
| 1 | Understand your options. You will be selecting from various types of health insurance plans, so make sure you understand each one. Click here for a quick guide. |
| 2 | Learn key health insurance terms. Click here for a helpful review. |
| 3 | Gather basic information about your household income from W-2 statements, tax filings, pay stubs, etc. Based on your income, you may be eligible for a subsidy if you get your health insurance on the exchange. |
| 4 | Set your budget. The best plan for you will be one that balances your coverage needs with your budget. Think about how much you can spend on monthly premiums. |
| 5 | Find out if your employer will offer health insurance in 2014. If not, you must obtain insurance on your own — either on or off the exchange — or pay a penalty. |
| 6 | Call Virginia Medical Plans. As a licensed broker, we can help you with steps 1 through 5 AND get you enrolled in the plan that is best for you! Learn more about how we can help. |
| 7 | Follow our blog. Simply click the “Follow” button to the right to receive our updates right to your email box. We will make sure you stay informed! |
We are always ready to assist. If you have any questions, please give us a call!
