Open Enrollment — Is it that time again?

What is open enrollment?

Open enrollment is a certain period of time in which you may select or make changes to your health insurance plan for the coming year. The open enrollment time frame is set by your employer or insurance provider. The decisions you make during open enrollment are very important. They can greatly affect you and your family’s care in the future. When choosing your plan, it is important to consider the following:

1. Dialysis benefits
2. Transplant options
3. Network/access to care
4. Family vs. individual coverage
5. Prescription benefits
6. Other benefits (i.e., dental and vision)
7. Out-of-pocket costs

5 Common Insurance Terms

1. Copay: The amount you pay upfront for a service, such as a doctor's visit
2. Out-of-pocket Maximum: The absolute maximum you pay for a medical service before your insurance plan begins to pay 100% of the covered cost
3. Premium: The amount you pay to your insurance provider each month for health coverage
4. Co-insurance: The percentage of cost you pay once you meet your deductible
5. Deductible: The amount you pay each year before your insurance coverage kicks in

Make an educated insurance decision

Making insurance choices can be challenging. There’s a lot to consider. That’s why DaVita provides a dedicated insurance counselor to help patients make an educated decision. When you’re a DaVita patient, your insurance counselor:

• Is a dedicated resource
• Will review all health insurance options with you
• Will review all health insurance options with you
• Can explain potential cost/benefit differences
• Can tell you about available special assistance programs in your area
• Can assess insurance plan changes, and your options, during an employer’s open enrollment period or at any time of year

Talk to an educator

Need help understanding plan options and coverage differences? We’re here for you. If you would like to discuss your coverage options or have questions, please reach out to one of these resources.