TAKE CARE: Advocacy Blog Series - Rock and Enroll With Us This Open Enrollment Season
It’s that time of year again! Leaves are changing, seasons are shifting and it’s officially time to kick off all things
open enrollment
. Learn the ins and outs of open enrollment so you have the tools to find the plan that works best for you.
Start here with our 10 Tips for Managing Your Care Costs video – it’s quick and easy, and in less than five minutes you’ll be 10 tips closer to mastering your health coverage.
The term open enrollment refers to the period every year when individuals can sign up for health insurance. Traditionally, this time is in the late fall if you have insurance through the individual marketplace, Medicare or Medicaid. If you receive coverage through an employer or a spouse’s employer, now is a good time to ask your human resources department about the dates and deadlines.
For 2019, open enrollment deadlines vary depending on where you access health insurance coverage:
The Arthritis Foundation offers several resources to help you make the best health care choices for you and your family.
Consider signing up to be an Arthritis Foundation Advocate ! Becoming a part of our advocacy grassroots network is an easy way to get involved and stay informed.
Start here with our 10 Tips for Managing Your Care Costs video – it’s quick and easy, and in less than five minutes you’ll be 10 tips closer to mastering your health coverage.
What exactly is open enrollment?
The term open enrollment refers to the period every year when individuals can sign up for health insurance. Traditionally, this time is in the late fall if you have insurance through the individual marketplace, Medicare or Medicaid. If you receive coverage through an employer or a spouse’s employer, now is a good time to ask your human resources department about the dates and deadlines.
What are the open enrollment deadlines?
For 2019, open enrollment deadlines vary depending on where you access health insurance coverage:
- Individual marketplace : The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 for plans that start on Jan. 1, 2019. For states that manage their own insurance marketplace, check your state’s Department of Health website.
- Medicare: Open enrollment will run from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
- Employer-sponsored insurance: Deadlines are rolling. Check with your employer’s human resources department.
What tools are available from the Arthritis Foundation to help me navigate open enrollment?
The Arthritis Foundation offers several resources to help you make the best health care choices for you and your family.
- Our premier resource is the Your Coverage, Your Care toolkit , which we updated this month. You can browse commonly used health care terms, understand different health insurance options, get educated about the claims and appeals process and learn tips to overcome health care barriers.
- If you have any questions about your health care, we have licensed clinical social workers on staff who can talk with you 24 hours a day for your convenience. You can reach the Arthritis Foundation Helpline toll-free at 844-571-HELP (4357), or visit the Helpline website .
- Our September advocacy webinar is focused on unlocking the secrets of your health plan . Join us on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. ET to learn about enrollment deadlines, what to expect during open enrollment and how to quickly find the resources you need in the Your Coverage, Your Care toolkit .
- Stay tuned for upcoming awareness activities and resources in October and November.
How can I stay informed about the latest federal and state health policy issues?
Consider signing up to be an Arthritis Foundation Advocate ! Becoming a part of our advocacy grassroots network is an easy way to get involved and stay informed.
