Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Shares Tips to Sign Up for a HealthCare.gov Plan by Jan. 15

BATON ROUGE, La. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana reminds those shopping for HealthCare.gov plans that Jan. 15 is the final day of the 2024 Open Enrollment Period. Coverage on the plan you choose will begin on Feb. 1, 2024.

“If you don’t get health insurance through an employer, you can shop on HealthCare.gov and find a quality plan so you stay covered in the New Year,” said Blue Cross Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut. “And, many Louisianians qualify for financial aid to help pay for their health plans, which makes this coverage very affordable.”

Bertaut shares tips for finding a 2024 health plan that fits your family’s needs and budget in this interview with WWL-TV “Great Day Louisiana” (6:19).

Once the annual Open Enrollment Period ends, people can still enroll in a HealthCare.gov plan if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This includes things like changes in marital or family status, moving to a different region, losing a job and employer healthcare coverage, or being removed from the state’s Medicaid program.

Get Help from an Agent  
Need help reviewing your 2024 health plan options? You can work with a licensed, experienced agent at no cost. Connect with one by visiting www.GetPlanOptions.com or calling 1-844-GET-BLUE (1-844-438-2583; TTY 711). You do not need to enroll in a plan because you speak to an agent.

Using Your 2024 Healthcare Coverage
If you’ve already signed up for a 2024 health plan, your coverage likely began on Jan. 1.

“Keep in mind that the New Year is typically when any changes to your coverage and benefits take effect, so review your plan coverage documents and make sure you understand what is different,” Bertaut said. “And, if your health plan has a deductible, be aware that it resets at the beginning of each year.”

Bertaut shares these tips for using your healthcare coverage in the New Year:

• Stay in your network. Make sure you are getting care from doctors, clinics, labs and other facilities that are in the network for your health plan. You will pay less out of pocket for care when you see in-network healthcare providers. You can call Customer Service for your plan to find out if a healthcare provider is in your plan’s network.
• Schedule your 2024 checkup. Everyone should have at least one checkup per year. People with long-term health conditions like heart disease or diabetes may need multiple checkups. This annual visit is a great way to stay on top of your health and well-being and to know your numbers for key indicators like blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Call your healthcare provider while it’s early in the year and schedule your 2024 checkup today – especially if it’s been more than a year since your last one.
• Book screenings, shots and tests you need. Depending on your age and health history, you may need to have preventive screenings like a colonoscopy or mammogram this year. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other tests or immunizations like the shingles or pneumonia vaccines. If you know you’ll need these healthcare services this year, your provider can start working with you now to get those scheduled. And your checkup is a great time to discuss this and make those plans.

Straight Talk and Other Resources
Bertaut is the primary author of Straight Talk, Blue Cross’ blog on healthcare costs, trends and policy. Visitors to www.StraightTalkLA.com can sign up to get the Straight Talk e-newsletter, which is issued with every new post. 

Follow Blue Cross on social media @BCBSLA for more health tips and information. Blue Cross posts regularly on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see short health and wellness videos. Subscribe to know when new videos are added.