Open enrollment season is officially underway for millions of Americans.
Whether you get coverage through your job, the federal marketplace, or Medicare, the window to pick a plan is short — and the default option is rarely your best deal.
Here's a practical checklist to get through it without leaving money on the table. **1.
Don't auto-renew without looking.** If you do nothing, most workplace plans roll you into the same coverage for next year.
That sounds easy, but premiums, deductibles, and networks change every January.
A plan that fit your budget in 2024 may not fit in 2025. **2.
Compare the total cost, not just the premium.** A low monthly premium with a $7,000 deductible can cost you more than a higher premium with a $1,500 deductible if anyone in your household actually uses care.
Add up premiums plus your expected out-of-pocket costs before deciding. **3.
Check whether your doctors are still in-network.** Insurance companies renegotiate contracts constantly, and a doctor or hospital that was covered last year may be out for next year.
Call your providers or use the plan's online directory — then confirm by phone, since directories are often out of date. **4.
Look hard at prescriptions.** Formularies — the list of drugs a plan covers — shift every year.
A medication that cost $30 a month could jump to $300 if it moves to a higher tier.
Run every prescription through each plan you're considering. **5.
Use your FSA or HSA wisely.** If you have a flexible spending account, remember it's usually "use it or lose it" — so don't overestimate what you'll spend.
Health savings accounts tied to high-deductible plans roll over and can be invested, which makes them a stronger long-term tool. **6.
Don't forget dental, vision, and life insurance.** These are often separate elections during the same window.
If you need new glasses, braces, or a crown next year, a vision or dental add-on can pay for itself fast. **7.
Watch for scams.** Fake enrollment websites and pushy callers pretending to be from Medicare or the marketplace ramp up this time of year.
Real marketplace plans never ask for payment over the phone by gift card or wire transfer.
Go directly to HealthCare.gov or your employer's official portal.
One more tip: mark the deadline on your calendar now.
Miss it, and you may be locked out until next fall unless you qualify for a special enrollment period after a life event like a move, marriage, or job loss. **The bottom line:** Open enrollment isn't a formality — it's one of the few times a year you can actually cut your health care costs.
Spending 45 minutes comparing plans beats spending 12 months overpaying for coverage you don't use.
Final Thoughts
Do the math, make the calls, and submit before the clock runs out.