The health insurance open enrollment period began November 15th. This is the date by which those who buy their health insurance can change plans or change companies. To clarify some health coverage costs, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services put together an online guide.
This year, there are more Oregonians with new health plans than ever before. Many of the newly-insured have never had health coverage and the various costs of the plans can seem overwhelming. But, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services created an online guide to explain some of the cost confusion. The department's Lisa Morawski :
Morawski: "People might not understand the different costs that they have to pay for their plan. For instance, every month you pay your monthly premium but then there often are also costs that you pay when you go see a doctor. Those plans have a deducible which is the amount you have to pay out of your pocket before your plan begins to pay."
To avoid a break in coverage at the end of the year, insurance holders must re-enroll by December 15th. But, changes in insurance plans can continue to be made until February 15, 2015.
To access the information in the insurance guide, visit insurance.oregon.gov.