Nov. 7, 2024

If you do not get health insurance through your job, or through Medicare and Medicaid, you can purchase it through the health care Marketplace. Here is what you need to know about open enrollment to find the right plan for you. 

When does it start? 

Open enrollment for health insurance starts Nov. 1. It ends Jan. 15. 

Key dates to know: 

• Enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage to start Jan. 1. 
• Enroll by Jan. 15 for coverage to start Feb. 1. 

Do I have to enroll now? 

You can only enroll in a plan during open enrollment. There are special enrollment periods* that allow you to enroll when you have a qualifying life event such as a change in job or financial situation. 

If I already have a plan, do I need to reenroll? 

Yes, you do. And it could be helpful to make sure the plan you have is still the right plan for you. A lot can change in a year. 

What is health insurance? 

Health insurance gives people peace of mind when it comes to medical expenses such as doctor visits, procedures and prescriptions. Your health is everything. It is important to make sure you and your family are covered. 

Why do I need health insurance? 

It's important to have insurance because it protects you from unexpected high medical costs. You and your family can get timely medical care. This improves your life and your health. Having health insurance is all about wellness. It’s about being able to visit a doctor to get your health checked and, if necessary, get medication. 

How do I pick a plan? 

Start by thinking about your health care needs for next year. If you are a generally healthy person who only needs basic or preventive care, certain plans may be better suited for your needs. If you need specialized care, another plan may be better.

Here are questions to help you as you consider your plan options:

• Type of care: How often do you see a doctor? What kind of doctors do you usually see? Primary care visits and specialists can have different costs. 
• Medications: What types of medications do you take regularly? You can’t predict all the medications you may need to take for unexpected health issues. But if you take any medications regularly, make sure you understand how those medications would be covered under any plan. 

Can I afford health insurance?

We have options to choose from based on your needs and budget. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has plans for everyone. 

Many people may qualify for financial assistance to help lower the cost of their plan. Subsidies or premium tax credits* make coverage available at reduced or no cost for people with incomes below certain levels. You can find out what savings you may qualify for by using this tool* on www.HealthCare.gov*.

These tax credits will make your premium lower. The premium* is the amount you pay each month for insurance. Some of these savings may also be applied to your deductible or copayment.

What do all these words mean? 

We get it. Health insurance has a language of its own. And it can get complicated. Taking the time to understand some of the basics can go a long way. 

Knowing the difference between a premium* and a deductible* is key to choosing the right plan for your health care needs and your wallet. 

For example, low-premium plans usually come with higher deductibles, which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance begins splitting the bill with you:

• Do you want to pay less each month, or each paycheck, and pay more when you need health care? A higher deductible plan might be a good option for you. 
• Or do you want to pay a higher monthly payment to have lower costs when receiving care and filling prescriptions? If you visit doctors frequently or take medications regularly, a plan with a higher premium but a lower deductible may be better. 

Another important thing to understand is the network for each plan. A health care network is the doctors, dentists and other health care offices your health insurance plan has a contract with to offer a lower rate for the members of that plan. Visiting doctors and providers who are in network saves you money. 

Find more on the language of health insurance with the Know the Lingo video series*. 

Why should I choose a BlueCross plan? 

We offer a range of plans to fit individual needs. There are so many benefits to buying a BlueCross plan. 

Just to name a few of those, a BlueCross plan offers: 

• A large network of doctors and hospitals. 
• No-cost preventive services. 
• Rewards for wellness activities to maintain your health. 
• Premiums as low as $0 per month based on eligibility. 
• An online tool to help you manage your plan. 
• Award-winning customer service. 

Our plans are backed by the power of BlueCross, which has served South Carolina for more than 75 years. We are trusted by more than 1 million South Carolinians. 

Where can I find help? 

You can call our representatives to walk you through your options this open enrollment. Call us at 855-244-3694. 

You can also find information on our website to help you pick a plan. 

We also have retail stores in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and Myrtle Beach where you can get help with the process. 

These experts can walk you through individual plan options — the premiums, the deductible and the copays* — and how each plan would cover you. 

Do I need an appointment? 

We recommend an appointment. But we welcome walk-ins. We also have phone appointments. 

Come to your appointment with information to discuss your options. You will need: 

• The number of people in your household. 
• The amount of your household income. 
• Any health changes or prescriptions that may affect your needs.

Anything else I should know? 

Many of our members are enrolling with a third party who sends information on their behalf — such as an agent. If your contact information isn’t up to date with that party, BlueCross receives outdated information, too. This can cause problems when we need to reach you. 

The information sent during enrollment matters. Double check that it is correct. 

You can see the information we have for you by registering for a My Health Toolkit^® account and viewing your profile. The online portal can help manage your health care and answer many questions you may have.  

*These links lead to third-party websites. The Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.