Need health insurance? How to find an affordable plan

(BPT) – For many people looking for health coverage, the Health Insurance Marketplaces, also known as Exchanges, may have the options they’re looking for. But managing health decisions is very personal, and with so many plan and benefit options available at different price points, finding affordable health care coverage that fits your needs can be overwhelming. The open enrollment period held each year gives those looking for affordable coverage the opportunity to shop for health plan options that can help with unexpected costs due to illness or injury. In most states, open enrollment begins November 1, 2023, and ends on January 16, 2024. Everyone’s coverage needs are different. That’s why there are options available to help choose a plan that not only safeguards your and your family’s health when you’re sick or injured, but also provides preventive care such as annual wellness visits, vaccinations, or health screenings to keep you and your family as healthy as possible and, if there are issues, address them at an early stage. Many people may be eligible for subsidies to lower the monthly premiums, including plans as low as $0 per month, depending on their income. In fact, 90% of UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family ACA Marketplace Plan members qualified for subsidized coverage in 2023.[1] Finding out if you qualify is easy — just check as you shop for plans. Individual and Family ACA Marketplace Plans through UnitedHealthcare If you’re looking for coverage, UnitedHealthcare is expanding its Individual and Family ACA Marketplace Plans into four new states for 2024. Coverage is now available in these 26 states[2]:   Alabama Arizona Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Kansas Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Missouri Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin UnitedHealthcare’s Individual and Family ACA Marketplace Plans feature affordable coverage, convenient access to care and offer a wide range of benefit options, including[3]: $0 unlimited primary and virtual urgent care. Prescriptions as low as $5 at over 40,000 in-network pharmacies. Adult dental and vision offerings. An opportunity to earn a $100 gift card in rewards benefits for completing health- and account-related tasks. Complimentary access to digital fitness classes. Membership to a network of 17,000 gym locations. New Copay Focus plan options with $0 medical deductible and predictable copay for services. How to get started To help you find a plan, UnitedHealthcare offers educational resources and 1-on-1 support in English and Spanish at UHC.com/exchange, or seguromedicoaca.com for Spanish support. Shoppers can also call 877-649-9797 to enroll or change plans from Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 16, 2024, in most states. Enroll by December 15, 2023 if you want your coverage active on January 1, 2024. If you enroll between December 16, 2023 and January 16, 2024, your coverage will begin on February 1, 2024.[4] [1] UnitedHealthcare Internal Analysis, September 2023. [2] Subject to regulatory approval. [3] The benefits described may not be offered in all plans or in all states. Some plans may require copayments, deductibles and/or coinsurance for these benefits. The policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, review the plan coverage documents or contact UnitedHealthcare. [4] Open enrollment dates may vary by state.