Not Sure Where to Start With Health Insurance? Try These Five Steps

If you are self-employed, leaving job-based coverage or buying health insurance on your own, individual and family plan Open Enrollment is the time to review your options for the coming year. For 2027 Health Insurance Marketplace® coverage, Open Enrollment begins Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, and ends Friday, Jan. 15, 2027. When considering the start of coverage, keep these enrollment dates in mind:

• Enroll by Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026 for coverage to begin Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.
• Enroll Wednesday, Dec. 16 to Friday, Jan. 15, 2026 for coverage to begin Monday, Feb. 1, 2027.

A few steps before you shop can make it easier to compare plans and decide how much help you want. Start with these five.

1. List who needs coverage

Write down everyone who needs coverage and any household changes you expect in 2027, such as getting married, having a baby or having a dependent turn 26. Estimate how much your household may earn during the year. Save any notices you receive about your current coverage or renewal.

2. Make a health care inventory

List the prescriptions you take, doctors and facilities you prefer, and services you expect to use. This information can help you compare plan networks and what you may pay when you get care.

3. Look at more than the monthly premium

As each plan is different and everyone’s health needs are personalized — understanding all aspects of your health plan is important, including the costs outside of the monthly premium. When you receive care, you may also pay part of the cost through a deductible, copay or coinsurance.

• A copay is a fixed amount for certain services, such as $25 for a doctor visit.
• Coinsurance is a percentage of the covered cost that you pay, often after meeting the deductible. For example, if a plan has 20% coinsurance, you pay 20 percent and the plan pays the remaining 80% of the covered cost. Coinsurance amounts vary by plan.
• The out-of-pocket limit sets the most you pay for covered in-network care during the year, based on the plan’s rules.

Compare these amounts and consider the care and prescriptions you may need to get a better picture of what each plan could cost you.

4. Check the provider network

A provider network is the group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that work with your health plan. Wellmark offers access to a broad provider network. Before you enroll, check the provider directory to make sure the providers you want to use are in-network.

5. Decide how you want to shop

You can compare plans online or work with a licensed agent. Shopping online may work well if you are comfortable reviewing plan details on your own. If you have questions or want someone to help you compare your options, a licensed agent can guide you through the process.

What’s Next?

You can compare Wellmark plans online, review our guide to choosing a health plan or use the agent finder to connect with a licensed agent.

No one plan or feature is right for everyone. Start with your expected care, preferred providers, household and budget, then choose the coverage and shopping option that fit your needs.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of lowa, Wellmark Health Plan of lowa, Inc., Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc. and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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