Open Enrollment Is Coming: 7 Things to Check Before You Renew Your Health Insurance
- Michael Shellhart
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Open Enrollment is right around the corner, and millions of Americans will soon face the same decision:
Do I keep the health insurance I already have, or is there a better option?
Here’s our biggest piece of advice:
Don’t automatically renew just because it’s easy.
Health insurance premiums, deductibles, networks, benefits, and household circumstances can all change from year to year. And depending on your health, income, family, and employment situation, the Marketplace may not be your only option.
At Exodus Benefits, we help individuals, families, self-employed professionals, 1099 workers, and business owners compare their options—including private PPO health insurance that can sometimes provide a more affordable alternative.
But we also believe health insurance is only one piece of protecting your family.
Here are seven things you should look at before renewing.
1. Did Your Monthly Premium Increase?
Don't just look at what you paid last year.
Look at what you're actually going to pay this year.
A small monthly increase can turn into hundreds or even thousands of additional dollars over the course of a year.
If your premium has jumped, that's a good reason to compare your options before accepting the increase.
Depending on eligibility and availability in your state, a private health insurance option may be worth considering alongside Marketplace coverage.
2. What Are You Really Paying Before Insurance Kicks In?
A low monthly premium doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive healthcare.
Look at the entire picture:
Premium + Deductible + Copays + Coinsurance + Maximum Out-of-Pocket
You could have an affordable-looking premium but still face thousands of dollars in exposure if something happens.
That's why we don't believe insurance decisions should be based on the monthly premium alone.
3. Are Your Doctors and Hospitals Still In-Network?
Provider networks can change.
Before renewing, check whether the doctors, specialists, hospitals, and healthcare systems you prefer are still participating.
This is also one reason some consumers ask us about nationwide PPO options.
For people who travel, work across multiple states, own businesses, or simply want greater provider flexibility, access to a broad PPO network can be an important part of the decision.
4. Have Your Prescription Needs Changed?
Don't forget about prescriptions.
Maybe you weren't taking medication last year but are now. Maybe a medication changed tiers. Maybe your plan's formulary changed.
Your health insurance needs should reflect your life today, not what your life looked like a year ago.
5. Has Your Household or Income Changed?
Marriage, divorce, children, employment changes, becoming self-employed, starting a business, or changes in household income can significantly affect which insurance options make sense.
Marketplace subsidies are income-based, so changes in income can also change the actual cost of coverage.
This is especially important for self-employed and 1099 workers.
If you don't have employer-sponsored insurance, don't assume your only choice is whatever appears on the Marketplace.
There may be private options worth comparing.
6. Are You Protecting Yourself From More Than Just the Doctor Bill?
This is where the conversation at Exodus Benefits becomes different.
We don't believe protection begins and ends with a health insurance card.
A major illness or accident can create expenses well beyond the hospital bill.
Depending on someone's needs and budget, we can help build a broader Package of Protection that may include:
Private PPO health insurance
Dental and vision benefits
Accident protection
Hospital indemnity coverage
Critical illness protection
Home healthcare benefits
Life insurance with living benefits
The goal isn't to pile on products.
The goal is to identify the financial gaps that matter and build protection around them.
Health insurance protects the medical side. A properly designed protection package can help protect the rest of your financial life.
7. Have You Actually Compared Before Renewing?
This may be the most important question.
Insurance companies make renewal easy.
But easy doesn't automatically mean better.
Before you renew, compare.
Look at your premium.
Look at your deductible.
Look at your network.
Look at your out-of-pocket exposure.
Then ask whether there are other options available that could provide the protection you need at a price that makes more sense.
Private PPO Health Insurance May Be Worth Comparing
Private health insurance isn't the right answer for everyone.
Neither is Marketplace coverage.
That's exactly why comparison matters.
Depending on health history, household needs, location, and eligibility, some individuals and families may find that private PPO health insurance provides an attractive—and sometimes more affordable—alternative.
At Exodus Benefits, we're not limited to looking at health insurance in isolation.
We help our clients look at the whole protection picture and build coverage around their actual needs and budget.
Before You Renew, Compare.
Open Enrollment shouldn't just be a time to click “Renew.”
It should be your annual opportunity to ask:
“Is there a better way to protect my family this year?”
That's where we come in.
Exodus Benefits | Life & Health Insurance
We help individuals, families, self-employed professionals, 1099 workers, and business owners compare health insurance options and build comprehensive Packages of Protection designed around their needs.
Affordable coverage may be closer than you think.
Get your health insurance quote today and see what options may be available to you.
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