Five Things to Consider During Open Enrollment

If you purchase health insurance on your own (not as part of a group), November and December are when it’s time to make some important decisions. The open enrollment period, which starts November 1, is when you can either decide to renew your existing coverage or shop around for a different plan.

When deciding what to do, you’ll probably be looking at plans’ monthly premiums. But they aren’t the only thing you should be considering. Also look at what you’ll be getting for your premium dollars, in terms of a plan’s benefits and services.

To help make the process easier, here’s our list of the top five things to consider:

1. Provider network. How large is the plan’s provider network and does it include the practitioners and facilities that you use? Blue Cross Vermont offers access to the largest network of doctors and hospitals in Vermont and throughout the U.S. We also offer 24/7 telemedicine care for times when you’d rather see a provider without leaving home or work. Use our Find a Doctor tool to see which providers are in our network.
2. Customer service. Does the health plan offer customer service staffed by representatives who know the local area? Our customer service team is based here in Vermont and has won many awards for excellence. Our representatives go to bat for Blue Cross members and work diligently to help them get the care they need. Check out this story about how one of our customer service representatives helped a member dealing with a painful injury.
3. Online account access. In addition to live customer service, does the health plan allow its members to quickly access their account information 24/7? Our online Member Resource Center (MRC) offers helpful resources right on the homepage. Using the MRC, you can see your benefit details, check on a claim, and send secure messages to us. Check out the MRC’s many features.
4. Personalized health support. How well does the health plan support its members who are coping with complex health issues, such as cancer or heart disease? Blue Cross Vermont has a team of experienced clinicians who provide personalized health support services to our members. They know how the health system works and help members get the right treatment at the right time. Our pharmacists help members manage their medications, reviewing the drugs they are currently taking and discussing alternatives that might work better. Personalized health support services are included in all Blue Cross Vermont plans at no additional cost. 
5. Wellness support. Along with assisting you when you’re sick or injured, how does the health plan support your wellness? All of our health plans include the Be Well Vermont wellness program, which provides a health assessment with personalized recommendations, trackers and reminders to help you achieve your goals for healthy behaviors, and free 24/7 access to the Virgin Pulse wellness app. Learn more about Be Well Vermont.

We encourage you to use our plan comparison tool to shop and compare Blue Cross Vermont’s plans. With the tool you can:

• Learn if you are eligible for federal subsidies to purchase qualified health plans.
• Filter plans by type, expected health expenses, or premium and deductible amounts.
• See each plan’s monthly premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum.
• Dig into the details, such as cost-sharing for prescription benefits, office visits, and hospital services.

If you would like help with choosing a health plan, we’ll be glad to talk with you and explore which plans are the best fit. Please call us at (800) 255-4550 (TTY/TDD: 711) or email consumersupport@bcbsvt.com. We’re available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To learn more, check out these blog articles:

Maximizing Your Benefits During Open Enrollment

How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan