What is open enrollment?
Open enrollment is an opportunity for everyone to consider their health needs in the upcoming year, to look at their current insurance health plans, and
to update their current plan to meet their future health needs.
If you are currently uninsured, open enrollment is an opportunity for you to get covered and ensure a healthier year for you, your loved ones and your
community by signing up for insurance through Medicaid.
In states that expanded Medicaid nationally, open enrollment runs from November 1st through December 15th. Washington, D.C. offers
the longest open enrollment period! It runs from November 1st through January 31st. However, in order to secure coverage that
starts on January 1, 2020, you must enroll in by December 15th.
Please note: Open Enrollment is now extended through December 18th for coverage starting January 1st! Call Whitman-Walker Health at 202.745.6151 for help enrolling today.
Why should you get covered?
Life happens and it’s unpredictable. You can hope for a safe and healthy year, but cannot promise yourself, or your loved ones, a safe and healthy year.
If you are in need of coverage for 2020 or are looking to compare plans, you’re reading the right article!
I thought the Affordable Care Act no longer existed.
Despite efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act – often referred to as Obamacare – the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land here in the U.S.
Individuals and businesses and can enroll in insurance coverage for their families and employees, respectively, in states that expanded Medicaid.
What should I consider when comparing new health plans?
The most important items to consider when comparing insurance plans are your premium, cost-sharing, provider network and formulary as they will help you
save money on the cost of your insurance plan and health care coverage. We’ve broken down each term below:
- Premium – A premium is the amount you pay to your insurance provider every month.
- Cost-Sharing – Cost-sharing is a discount that lowers your costs for co-pays (often due at the time of your care service), co-insurance,
deductibles and the amount you have to pay to reach your out-of-pocket limit before your insurance provider will start covering the cost of your
care. Cost-sharing helps you save money!
- Your Provider Network – Your provider network includes any healthcare providers who take your insurance and are “in-network.” These
providers are more affordable and accessible for you to receive care services from.
- Formulary – Formulary refers to a list of prescription drugs covered by an insurance plan or a prescription drug pan and the costs
associated with those drugs.
You should also consider enrolling in a Standard Plan! Standard Plans are designed for individuals and families. They cover many “in-network” medical services
and do not require you to meet the “deductible” to receive these services. A deductible is the amount that you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance
provider will start contributing toward the cost of your care.
Standard Plans cover the following services:
- Generic Prescription Medications
- Out-Patient Behavioral Healthcare
- Out-Patient Substance Use Treatment
Insurance language and terminology can be complicated. Check out the insurance glossary at HealthCare.gov to look up language and terms that are you are unfamiliar with. For folks enrolling in DC, make sure to check out DC Health Link’s insurance glossary
here. You can also learn more about Standard Plans here through DC Health Link.
How can you get covered?
If you are in need of assistance enrolling in Medicaid for coverage in 2020 in DC, contact Whitman-Walker’s Public Benefits & Insurance Navigation
Team at 202.745.6151 with any questions or concerns.
You may also participate in walk-in hours for help enrolling in coverage. Whitman-Walker’s team includes certified DC Health Link Assisters who can help
you find, and enroll in, a plan that best meets your health needs.
Whitman-Walker Health’s DC Health Link Open Enrollment Locations & Hours Include:
- Whitman-Walker at 1525 – 1525 14th Street, NW
- Monday – Wednesday & Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM AND 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM AND 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Whitman-Walker at LIZ - 1377 R Street, NW, Suite 200
- Monday – Wednesday & Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM AND 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM AND 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
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- Friday, December 13th 2019, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday, December 14th 2019,1:00 – 5:00 pm
- Whitman-Walker at Max Robinson Center - 2301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
- Monday – Wednesday & Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM AND 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Closed Thursdays
Take control of your health outcomes and get covered for 2020!
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