skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, February 17, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

At Least 11 Dead After Severe Flooding Sweeps The South; Hundreds Of Thousands Without Power; Abandoned Mine Land program frozen as Appalachia faces severe flooding; Solar power gives MN resort new blood, new life.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Top Trump officials set to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia over the Ukraine war. The GOP budget resolution is at risk as moderates weigh out consequences. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he's "going nowhere."

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Open enrollment is here; Michiganders refresh health care plans

play audio
Play

Wednesday, October 23, 2024   

Open enrollment time is here - a brief window for Michiganders and folks nationwide to update their health insurance choices.

Healthcare experts emphasize the important tips to remember when evaluating a health plan, such as making sure your doctor is in-network to avoid big out-of-pocket expenses. Also, many healthcare plans reward you for making healthier choices, like completing health assessments and avoiding nicotine. And if you're on Medicare, some Medicare Advantage plans include gym memberships.

Alyson Ramos, a Medicare specialist with the Valley Area Agency on Aging in the Flint region, provides one key update for Medicare enrollees.

"For prescription drugs, there will be an out-of-pocket maximum, that's the first time that's ever happened. That out-of-pocket maximum will be $2,000," she said. "So, they have had out of pocket expense before, but it was, 'Pay into it this much, and then you'll reach the cap.'"

Also, open enrollment dates vary. Medicare is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Employer-sponsored plans typically allow changes for several weeks between September and December. And open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace plans runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states.

While many focus on finding a plan that supports their physical health, experts stress that it is crucial to ensure strong mental health coverage, as well.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said there's a growing interest in mental health care and it's best to look for plans that offer a variety of options.

"Things that range from self help, digital services, virtual behavioral health visits with licensed mental health professionals, maybe coaching associated with that, as well as your more traditional in-person behavioral health visits," she said.

Randall noted virtual care is popular across all age groups - and some plans even offer virtual behavioral health services with zero co-pay.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Data from Indiana's Marion County Public Health Department show of the 124 overdose deaths in April-June 2024, 71 were white men, 36 were Black men and 6 were Hispanic women. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

The incidence of drug overdose is decreasing in Indiana and one reason could be the efforts of an organization offering free training to anyone willin…


Social Issues

play sound

By Kim Kobersmith for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for South Carolina News Service for the Daily Yonder-Public News Service Coll…

Environment

play sound

Wyoming is one of several Western states where some lawmakers arguing states should have more control of the federally managed public lands within the…


Environment

play sound

By Amy McDermott for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for for California News Service reporting…

Libraries are tailored to their local communities, Varga says, such as a local library in Virginia Beach offering surfboard rentals. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

February is Library Lovers Month - and libraries across the Commonwealth are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate. Lisa Varga…

Social Issues

play sound

According to the Immigration Policy Tracking Project, the Trump administration has taken 130 actions on immigration so far this term. Groups in …

Environment

play sound

A Utah legislator has introduced a bill to increase transparency for consumers in the Beehive State when purchasing cultivated meat products…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021