Three tips for selecting a health insurance plan that actually meets your needs

Sponsored by and provided by Oscar Health

The 2024 Open Enrollment period is officially here, which means that for many Americans, it's time to look at your health insurance for the coming year. If you're shopping for a new plan, or want to make changes to an existing plan, this is the time to do so. With so many options available, selecting the right plan can be confusing or overwhelming. The good news is that a little preparation can go a long way.

Here are 3 tips to guide you in selecting a plan that will actually meet your needs:

1. Decide who needs to be on your plan

Review your household and determine who (if anyone) needs to be included on your plan. Pro-tip: You'll typically want more coverage if you add additional people to your plan, so keep that in mind as you're budgeting!

2. Think about your unique needs

Reflect on all of your medical activities and expenses in the last year. Which ones can you anticipate in 2024?

There are several plan tiers – bronze, silver, gold, and platinum – each one is based on cost and coverage level. If you know that you will require more care, it may be best to explore a gold or platinum plan. If you're generally healthy and don't have regular prescriptions, bronze or silver may be the way to go.

3. List out your must-haves

Are there doctors, medical facilities, or meds that you know you want to keep next year? Make a list and check to see if they're considered in-network with a plan before you sign up.

There are some surprises in life that are good – finding out that your favorite doctor is out of network is not usually one of them.

 Anything else to think about?

Depending on your household income, you may qualify for subsidies. If you do, tax credits will be applied to your premiums to make your coverage more affordable. One more tip – some plans offer perks and incentives (think rewards or credits for taking care of your health). If you're stuck between two similar plans, this may help drive your decision!

Where do I sign up?

Now you've got all the information you need to guide you through the selection process, so where do you go from here? Head to healthcare.gov, or your state-based exchange, to begin exploring your available plan options.

If you're looking for a plan that's flexible and designed with you in mind, Oscar may be a good fit for your 2024 healthcare needs.[1] We believe that when it comes to your health, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why we provide our members with unique services and offerings, including:

A team that has your back

You'll have the support of a Care Team – a team of care guides and a nurse – whose only job is to help you make the most of your plan. They can find doctors, coordinate your appointments, make sense of bills, and more.

$3 Prescriptions [2] (Yes, really)
We talked to doctors and members to figure out how to reduce Rx costs for the most commonly prescribed meds, so you'll have an easier time accessing the ones you need!

Talk to a doctor 24/7 for $0

Call or message a doctor in as little as 30 minutes with Virtual Urgent Care.[3] Get a diagnosis, a new prescription, or a refill without having to take a trip to the doctor's office.

We really mean it when we say that we design our plans with our members in mind. If you need support for a chronic condition like diabetes, we've got you covered under our Diabetes Care Plan which includes fully covered labs and diabetic foot and retinal eye exams, $0 Tier 1a drugs, $0 primary care visits, and behavioral health visits. You can even earn up to $10 toward healthy groceries with Instacart. If English is not your first language, we offer translation services in 170 languages. We also have an immersive Spanish-first program that ensures you have a fully authentic healthcare experience and can connect with a provider and care team who understands your language and cultural needs.

This year's Open Enrollment will last from November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024 in most states and longer in some state-based marketplaces. Sign up for a plan today at healthcare.gov or hioscar.com. 

[1] Oscar Medical coverage is underwritten by Oscar Insurance Company located in New York, New York. Administrative Services for all plans provided by Oscar Management Corporation. HMO products are offered by Oscar Insurance Corporation and Oscar Buckeye State Insurance Corporation in Ohio, Oscar Health Plan of Georgia in Georgia. All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs, and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or an Oscar sales representative.

[2] $3 Prescriptions include up to 30-day supply of medication and are not available in NY, NJ, CA, or for Catastrophic plans or small group plans.

[3] Oscar's Virtual Urgent Care offerings are not available in US territories or internationally. If you have an HSA-compatible high-deductible health plan or a Secure plan, you won't be eligible for $0 visits. Prescriptions, visits and services may be limited per provider discretion.