676 - Selecting a Health Insurance Plan

Most Americans have the opportunity to change their health insurance plans once a year. Learn more in this episode.

Slow dialogue: 0.52
Explanations: 2.22
Fast dialogue: 19.35
Mikhail: What’s all this?
Carol: It’s open enrollment at my company and I’m thinking of switching health plans. I have an HMO right now and I’m thinking of switching to a PPO. That way, I can see doctors outside of my current network and still be covered.
Mikhail: I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about things like that. I’m still a dependent on my mother’s plan, at least for another year.
Carol: Lucky you. Look at all of this literature! How am I supposed to make heads or tails of this to compare one plan with another?
Mikhail: Wow, yeah, that’s really confusing.
Carol: Tell me about it. I want to know if these new plans have coverage for my pre-existing conditions and prescription drugs, and if not, what the out-of-pocket costs would be.
Mikhail: Don’t look at me.
Carol: And how am I supposed to figure out what my copay and deductible would be?
Mikhail: You’re on your own on this one. It’s all Greek to me!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse