Your 4-step guide to health insurance

Choosing your health insurance is an important decision. These tips can help.

Finding a health plan and selecting the right amount of health insurance coverage is a big decision. We all have different needs and preferences when it comes to our health coverage. It's important to choose a plan that's right for you and your family. This four-step guide can help you get on the path to picking a plan.

Step 1: Do your homework.

Copay or coinsurance? In network or out of network? Health insurance terms can be confusing. Familiarizing yourself with these terms and learning how health insurance works can help you better understand your own personal coverage, and make you a more informed consumer. You should always check with your health insurance carrier for their definitions, as these can vary.

Step 2: Pick a plan.

Open enrollment is here, the time of year when you can make changes to or purchase health insurance for you and your family — whether you're Medicare-eligible, purchasing insurance through your employer, or purchasing it directly through a health insurer like Sharp Health Plan or Covered California^™. Learn more about buying insurance during the open enrollment period, which ends January 31, 2022.

Step 3: Find a doctor.

Would you prefer a doctor closer to your home or office? A male or a female doctor? Smooth the bumps on your road to choosing a doctor with this handy guide.

Step 4: Use your benefits.

The Affordable Care Act allows many people easy access to preventive screenings at not additional out-of-pocket cost. Learn more about preventive screenings and make a plan for the new year at the next appointment with your doctor. Many health plans also offer wellness programs, such as Sharp Health Plan's Best Health wellness program, to help you set and meet health goals.

Sharp makes it easy to get the care you need. Learn more at sharp.com/choosesharp.