Cutting Through the Noise: A Mom’s Guide To Open Enrollment

Open enrollment rarely tops the list of favorite fall activities, usually ranking just above “clean out the garage” on most to-do lists. It’s easy to put off making decisions about health coverage, especially if you’re juggling soccer practice, school projects, and somehow finding time to breathe. But the choices you make now could affect your family’s care and budget all year long. The good news? With a few smart steps, you may actually feel confident about your decisions this season — without pulling your hair out.

Navigating Health Advice Online

These days, health tips are everywhere, especially online. From attention-grabbing posts to well-meaning friends sharing personal stories, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in mixed messages. In fact, a recent report found that 43% of people have regretted a health decision based on misinformation.

A good filter to consider is who’s behind the post and whether it references guidelines or research – little cues that can help separate signal from noise. For choices that impact your family, experts typically point to licensed medical professionals and reputable organizations as solid starting points.

Think of your health plan as a bridge to credentialed professionals who can provide advice tailored to your family, not just another tab in your browser full of memes and hot takes.

Tips For A Smoother Open Enrollment

Start Early. Seriously, don’t wait until the night before the deadline, when you’re also baking cupcakes for the class party and helping with homework. Give yourself time to compare plans, review benefits, and understand potential costs, including deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Decode The Language: Health care terms can feel like a foreign language, but resources like JustPlainClear.com may help you translate “deductible” or “coinsurance” into something that actually makes sense. A little clarity now can prevent a lot of stress later.

Avoid Surprise Expenses: Before picking a plan, double-check that your doctor is in-network and your prescriptions are covered. Even if you aren’t switching plans, confirming these details now could help your budget (and your sanity).

Prioritize Mental Health: Between kid schedules, work and life, stress happens. Look for plans that offer in-person and virtual visits, 24/7 support lines, and digital self-care tools for in-the-moment support like Calm Health.

Smarter Ways To Save: A low monthly premium might look attractive, but it’s not the whole story. Factor in deductibles, copays and coinsurance, and see how those costs may add up over the year. Using in-network providers and checking whether your medications are covered can help prevent unexpected expenses. Some plans make it easier to comparison shop, like the Surest health plan from UnitedHealthcare. Surest has no deductibles or coinsurance, only a copay. On average, Surest members paid 54% less out of pocket.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a health plan may never feel like picking the perfect pair of shoes, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A bit of planning and fact-checking can help make open enrollment season less stressful – and maybe even empowering. There’s no shortage of chatter about health care, and it can be tough to separate myths from reality. Get the Facts to help clear up the confusion and understand how the health system really works.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.