How to Pick an Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment

Welcome to our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast series on understanding health insurance. This third and final episode covers how to pick the best health insurance plan for you and your family during open enrollment.

This episode is produced in partnership with The Itch Podcast. Our co-hosts, Payel Gupta, MD, and Kortney, talk with Lacey Varnon from the National Association of Medication Access and Patient Advocacy (NAMAPA). Lacey discusses what people should think about when selecting a health insurance plan.

You can learn more about the podcast and the co-hosts onItchPodcast.com. The podcast can be downloaded on all major platforms for listening anytime, anywhere:

This episode is made in collaboration the National Association of Medication Access and Patient Advocacy (NAMAPA). We thank Amgen for sponsoring this episode. 

All opinions on the show represent the views of the podcasters and the guest. Sponsorship does not influence content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.

Understanding health insurance plans for open enrollment

Lacey Varnon shares tips on what to look for when choosing a plan, including plan types, premiums, deductibles, and networks. We cover open enrollment basics to help you pick the best plan and get the coverage you need.

Key takeaways about open enrollment

In this episode, we share key points to remember during open enrollment:

  • Choosing a network: Lacey explains plan types like HMO, PPO, EPO, POS, and high deductible, as well as who each plan is best for.
  • Understanding premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance: Learn the differences and how these affect your yearly costs.
  • Pharmacy benefits: Find out what to check for when choosing medication coverage.
  • Long-term care options: What to consider for coverage if you need regular treatments or medications.

Podcast timestamps choosing an insurance plan

01:43 – Intro to Lacey and NAMAPA

02:12 – Key factors when choosing an insurance plan

06:05 – Top three essentials: doctors, diagnoses, medications

07:20 – Premiums and deductibles explained

10:55 – Understanding insurance networks

12:16 – Copayment overview

13:05 – Pharmacy benefits and long-term medication coverage

16:19 – HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

20:02 – PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

22:13 – EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)

23:48 – POS (Point of Service) insurance

26:08 – High deductible health plans

28:25 – Insurance through a spouse’s plan

29:52 – Coinsurance overview

32:32 – HSA and FSA accounts

37:56 – Out-of-pocket maximums

39:03 – Navigating open enrollment

41:48 – Considering family needs in insurance selection

43:19 – Reviewing last year’s insurance use

Additional resources on health insurance

Other Episodes in our Insurance Podcast Series