Healthcare.gov Now Features Window Shopping Upgrades
- By BSTQ Staff
Healthcare.gov, the main entry point for people seeking insurance in 38 states served by the federal exchange, features three new window-shopping features. The first allows consumers to see an estimate of total yearly costs for each health plan based on factors such as age, sex, income, ZIP code and how much healthcare they expect to use. The cost-comparison tool takes into account premiums, as well as cost-sharing for services like office visits and the deductible. Since most people look only at premiums, this tool will be especially helpful for people with chronic illnesses who require regular follow-up by doctors and who might be better off paying a higher monthly premium for a plan with lower out-of-pocket costs.
A second feature allows individuals to enter the names of doctors and hospitals to receive a list of health plans in which those providers are in-network. Previously, consumers had to visit each insurer’s website to determine which doctors and hospitals were in-network. And, a third feature allows people to find health plans that cover their prescription drugs. The open enrollment period for health plans on the exchanges opened Nov. 1 and closes Jan. 31.
