ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTLOS ANGELES TIMES |http://www.latimes.com- • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019
T6
OPEN ENROLLMENT
New Decade, New Decisions
Some things to consider when picking a plan in 2020
The landscape of health coverage is constantly evolving, but the
time has come to prepare for 2020. But people all over California
have likely been pondering their health choices for months already.
Open enrollment periods are starting soon
for next year’s health insurance decisions,
whether for Medicare, employer-provided
plans or Covered California. You’ve prob-
ably received brochures and postcards
touting one plan or another. There are so
many choices, it can be overwhelming.
“I sometimes think of it as going to
buy laundry detergent, and find that
there are 40 different types of laundry
detergent on the shelves,” said Jill Sel-
by, vice-president of product develop-
ment for the Long Beach-based SCAN
Health Plan, a Health Maintenance
Organization (HMO) for seniors serving
several California counties. “So, how do
you choose the detergent that’s right
for you, much less which health plan will
give you the best coverage?”There are some major considerations
when choosing a health insurance plan.
First, what health issues do you need
covered in 2020? A lot of plans offer
benefits you may not use, so why pay for
extras you don’t need?
Second, where do you live and work?
Most people want health care that is
conveniently close to home or their job.
That includes the offices of primary care
physicians, labs and hospitals.
Third, what is your health care budget?
Would you be content to have a one-
stop shop for lower cost health care with
a HMO? Or does it make more sense to
pay more in premiums and copays to
have access to a wide range of health
care networks?
And finally, what’s new for 2020? Here’sa summary of the most relevant changes:
Covered California has reinstated a
previous Affordable Care Act require-
ment that everyone must either carry
essential health insurance or pay a tax
penalty: $695, or 2.5% of their income,
whichever is higher.
Insurance premium subsidies that
have been available to lower income
people will be expanded to include
more young adults and middle-class
families enrolled in the state’s insurance
marketplace. Individuals and families
with household incomes within stated
guidelines may apply for this assistance.
Original Medicare is phasing out
some of the plans it has required partic-
ipating insurers to offer. Among them,
the popular (and most expensive) Plan
F, which covers copays, the Medicare
deductible and charges by health care
providers that exceed Medicare limits.
Luckily, there are other plans that have
similar benefits, and Plan F will remainavailable to those already subscribed.
Medicare Advantage HMO plans
have been given the OK to offer a range
of new supplemental benefits that haven’t
previously been considered medical-
ly necessary for people with chronic
conditions. These include long-term care
issues like asthma or diabetes, and more
coverage for those using wheelchairs.
Of course, there are many more con-
siderations beyond this summary. The
specific details of plans and eligibility
are or will soon be posted on Medicare
and Covered California websites, as well
as those of insurance companies partic-
ipating in the programs. Need answers?
Now is the perfect time to talk to your
doctor, health care provider or research
Medicare’s or Covered California’s web-
site information.
It’s time to do your homework.- CATHERINE GAUGH
Custom Publishing Writer