Regan Palmer and Korissa Duff oversee the financial advocate team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
Open enrollment is here again, and the healthcare marketplace is undergoing rapid changes. Between comparing plans, understanding subsidies and making sure your insurance aligns with your or your family’s medical needs, the process can be confusing.
That’s where financial advocates can make a meaningful difference. As members of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Financial Advocate team, we have been following everything closely, so you don’t have to.
One major change has been the expiration of the enhanced tax credits that many families relied on last year. While this shift caught many off guard, there are still ongoing conversations about whether assistance could be extended. We are monitoring it closely and will keep you informed.
Despite this uncertainty, the role of financial advocates hasn’t changed. We are here to help you sort through the details and understand your options, all at no cost. Financial advocates stay current on all marketplace updates so we can explain things clearly and in a way that’s useful.
If you’re weighing premiums, trying to understand how a deductible affects your budget, or wondering if a different plan is a better fit, we can walk you through it. We will help review coverage, explain out-of-pocket costs and talk through your insurance questions. We always encourage individuals to consider the following questions:
- What will my total yearly healthcare cost be—including premiums, deductibles, and copays?
- Can I realistically afford the deductible if something unexpected happens?
- How much do I typically spend on healthcare in a year, and which plan aligns with that?
- Do I have ongoing health conditions that require predictable care?
- Is my preferred hospital or clinic in-network?
Depending on your personal circumstances, financial advocates can also discuss what other needs you may consider when determining your health care coverage.
We know this process can be overwhelming, especially as the rules change. That’s why we’re here: to make it manageable and help you feel confident in your decisions.
If you are unsure where to start or have questions about the recent changes, reach out to our team at 307-675-4620. We are always available to help and will continue keeping an eye on everything as it develops.
There is a lot going on this year, but you don’t have to sort through it alone. We are here to support our community through the entire open enrollment season.