Now is the time to shop for healthcare coverage during the Individual Open Enrollment Period. Here's what you need to know before the December 15 deadline.

Occasionally we tend to put off important tasks on our to-do list for a few days or weeks. It's normal to procrastinate regarding chores, homework, or even taking out the trash. But shopping for healthcare coverage during the Individual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) shouldn't be put on the back burner.

"There's always a trend we see with people rushing in the last week of enrollment to sign up for individual coverage for the following year," said Jason Alford, Health First Health Plans Vice President of Sales and Business Development. "But it's important to do your homework to ensure you're getting the best coverage for you and your family."

Don't let yourself get caught up in a last-minute decision about your healthcare coverage. If you're under the age of 65 and don't have affordable coverage offered through an employer, now's the time to educate yourself about options. Take the time to fully understand your options, whether it's to sign up for new coverage, change plans or change insurance companies for any reason. OEP runs from Sunday, November 1, 2020, through Tuesday, December 15, 2020, for coverage beginning January 1, 2021.

If you're new to individual coverage or in need of a refresher, Health First Health Plans has you covered - and can tell you everything you need to know.

Let's start with who typically needs coverage:

• Individuals who have lost employer-based coverage
• Individuals with changes to income who now qualify for premiums subsidies
• Self-employed (not offered insurance through an employer)
• Recent graduates or young adults coming off their parent's insurance coverage
• Early retirees

"Health First Health Plans Individual currently covers more than 10,000 individuals in Brevard County," Alford said. "We have made access to individual healthcare easier and more affordable for our neighbors, friends and loved ones."

However, there's one important thing you should do before choosing individual coverage - research and more research. We encourage all members to know the market before selecting coverage. And if it's too confusing or you're simply having a hard time understanding enrollment, application options or finding the right product and network of providers, ask your local health insurance agent about how to enroll in Health First Individual.

"Unfortunately, many people purchase individual health insurance online or without assistance and find out too late that the facilities or providers they trust are not in the plan's network," Alford said. "We are here to help you research and investigate the provider network that is available when shopping for coverage to avoid surprises."

We're always strategically thinking of our members and how we can better assist them in their healthcare needs. Health First Individual has recently launched new "high-value network" plans for 2021. These are now available options for you to review during OEP. The high-value network includes:

• Care within the extensive Health First provider network
• Offers low out-of-pocket expenses
• Provides low-cost plans offering access to the Health First health system

We know there's a lot of information to process and want to make sure you're getting everything you need to ensure you're choosing the right coverage plan. Here are some other key factors to remember when shopping for individual coverage:

• Outside of OEP, new coverage or plan changes can only be selected with a qualified life event (loss of coverage, birth of a new child, moving, marriage, divorce, etc.)
• Check to see if you qualify for financial assistance/subsidy based on your income at HF.org/individual
• Please remember that all changes made during OEP will take effect on January 1, 2021

Health First Health Plans Individual wants to make sure you get the coverage you need during the once-a-year OEP opportunity, or in case you have an unexpected, qualifying life event or complicated situation next year. Our highly trained associates are dedicated to helping you to become familiar with all of your OEP options. Feel free to call us at 321.615.9450. We're available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1 to December 15. If you're more comfortable shopping online before calling, our enhanced online member tools and website make navigating your healthcare options more convenient. Visit our website at HF.org/individual

Health First Commercial Plans, Inc. is doing business under the name of Health First Health Plans. Health First Health Plans does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or health status in the administration of the plan including enrollment and benefit determinations.

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