What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

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The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or OEP, runs each year from January 1 through March 31. During this time, 2020 Medicare Advantage (Part C) members can change plans without penalty from CMS. The Medicare Advantage OEP is not to be confused with the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 through December 7....
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Save Money and Get Healthy with Your Independence Blue Cross Health Plan

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Have you gotten to know your Independence Blue Cross health plan yet? We offer member-exclusive perks that you won’t want to miss: discounts, reimbursements, and personal support to help you eat well, get fit, save money, and have fun on the cheap.* And the best part is they’ll bring you closer to your health and well-being goals....
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Getting Started with Your Independence Blue Cross Health Plan

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Be sure to make the most of everything your Independence Blue Cross health plan has to offer by: Finding the care you need Getting personalized support Saving time and money Ready to get started? Here are some steps to help you start the year right.  1. Register for 24/7 access to your benefits information All the information you need is right at your fingertips....
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Family Health Insurance: Taking Care of Those Who Depend on You

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Nothing is more important than protecting your family’s health and well-being — enrolling in family health insurance is one of the most important ways to do just that. Here are five good reasons to keep your family covered:

1. Health insurance helps keep your family healthy

Health care isn’t just about taking care of illnesses and injuries when they arise....
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Enroll Now for a Quality 2020 Health Insurance Plan

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Open Enrollment for 2020 individual and family health insurance plans starts November 1, 2019, and ends December 15, 2019. During Open Enrollment, you can apply for a new health insurance plan, change your health plan type, or make updates to your existing health plan, such as adding dependents. Any new plans or changes you make by December 15 will go into effect on January 1,...
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HMO vs. PPO: Which Plan Is Best for You?

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If you’re shopping for a health plan, odds are you’ll come across the terms HMO and PPO. While there are many different types health plans out there, these two are among the most recognized. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out which one is best for your health needs and budget.

HMO Health Insurance Plans

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization....
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Your Health Insurance Deductible Explained

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There are a lot of important things to consider when you’re shopping for health insurance, including: What doctors and hospitals will you be able to use? How much will you pay when you need care? Does your health plan have a deductible? Before you pick a health insurance plan, be sure you understand the basics — especially when it comes to your health insurance deductible....
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The Value of an Independence Blue Cross Health Plan

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Consider for a moment the following statistics: From 2012 to 2016, commercial health care prices in the United States rose three times faster than inflation. In the Philadelphia area, commercial health care prices rose 16 percent between 2012 and 2016. Between 2010 and 2025, prescription drug prices in the United States are expected to increase by 136 percent....
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The Cost of Health Insurance Is More Than Just Your Premium

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Choosing a health insurance plan is an important decision. Like with any big purchase, you’ll want to compare how much you pay and what you’ll get in return. When you’re shopping for a plan, the “price tag” is the monthly premium, which is the amount you pay to your health insurance company to keep your coverage active....
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When, Why, and How to Change Medicare Plans

As a Medicare beneficiary, you can change your Medicare plan every year. And while there are certain timeframes when you’re allowed to make the change, there are many reasons why you might want or need to change, including: Maybe your health care needs have changed, and you need benefits not offered by your current plan. Some specialists,...
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