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Hi there,
Congratulations on taking the first step to prepare for Open Enrollment! Open Enrollment is the period of time when individuals and families can sign up for health insurance. For most states, November 1st, 2019 marks the beginning of Open Enrollment. If you’re in California, you can start signing up on October 15th, 2019. Until then, we’ll be sending you tips on how to save money and find the right plan.
Before you start shopping for a health insurance plan, make sure you know the types of health insurance that are available.
ACA-Compliant Coverage
ACA-compliant coverage refers to health policies that meet certain requirements established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is also known as ObamaCare.
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Pros: ACA plans (like Oscar) accept members regardless of pre-existing conditions, and you’re guaranteed to get essential health benefits. There are also strict limits on what you’re expected to pay
out-of-pocket
. And some ACA plans come with extra perks for their members. Oscar has free 24/7 Doctor on Call, where you can talk to a provider in as little as 15 minutes, about common health issues or prescription refills. Oscar members also get a dedicated Concierge team who can answer questions and solve billing issues. There’s even an app with Step Tracking rewards where you can earn $ just for walking.
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Cons: Because ACA plans tend to offer better coverage, their premiums may be higher than other forms of insurance. Make sure you check if you qualify for financial assistance—you may be eligible for a subsidy.
Short-Term Health Plan (STHP)
STHPs provide coverage in case of illness and accidents for a defined period of time. They’re flexible solutions designed for periods of transition, like finding a new job.
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Pros: Short-Term Health Plans often have low monthly premiums.
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Cons: Pre-existing health conditions, or a history of health problems, could prevent you from qualifying for a STHP.
Health Care-Sharing Ministries (HCSM)
HCSMs group people with a common set of religious beliefs together to help them pay for health care.
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Pros: HCSMs may offer affordable coverage.
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Cons: HCSMs are not health insurance—they don’t work directly with doctors and hospitals. This means patients are stuck negotiating their own health care costs.
Now that you’ve learned a bit about some of the different kinds of plans available, hopefully you have a better idea of the type of health coverage that’s right for you. | 
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