This post was sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
December is one of the busiest months of the year for us. We’re decorating the house for Christmas as well as cooking and baking. Shopping and planning holiday parties are on the list also. And we’re planning to visit local holiday events with the grandkids. The to-do list just seems to go on and on.
But with all the upcoming festivities and activities, one of our biggest priorities is picking the right health insurance for next year. Health insurance is actually a top priority right now, as I’m sure it is with a whole lot of other people. Since it’s open enrollment time for health insurance, NOW is the time to do your homework and to choose the best health insurance plan for you and your family. It will have a big effect on the upcoming year. Anthem Blue Cross is here to help you make the best decisions possible. The choices you make can have a determining factor not only on your physical health but your financial health, too.
We’ve been choosing between health care plans for over forty years. For the most part, we’ve been satisfied with our health care plans. There have been a few times when we’ve second guessed the results of our choices. We learned from our experiences and made better and more educated choices in subsequent years. We’d like to share three things we’ve learned over time and that Anthem Blue Cross would like to help us all with.
1. Health insurance in important. Very important. Health insurance not only can, but does, provide security with knowing our family can receive medical care when needed. Life-saving medical care.
Our daughter, Britt, was diagnosed with the non-curable neuromuscular disease: Myasthenia Gravis. It was unexpected (to say the least), and we almost lost her to the disease more than once. It was just a few weeks after her 5th birthday when she and I took up residence at the children’s hospital in San Diego, California. Britt was the first Myasthenia Gravis patient the hospital had ever treated. She had (more than I can count) diagnostic tests, along with two surgeries. The fear and medical bills continued long after we brought her home. Britt had medical machines next to her bed and portable machines for travel. She was on medication seven times a day. We were living a nightmare while hoping and praying for the best. Needless to say, if we didn’t have health insurance we would have been financially devastated. It was just a few months later that our youngest son was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis. Once again our health insurance not only saved our son but our finances, also.
2. There are multiple options available when it comes to health care. But don’t feel needlessly overwhelmed. There are resources available to guide you through the maze. Know this: you don’t have to do it alone. You’re choosing the health insurance you’re going to have for at least the year ahead. Choose wisely. Anthem Blue Cross provides online help, along with Application Assisters, Navigators, and brokers in your local communities. Take advantage of this help to get the health plan that will meet the needs of your family.
3. To be as prepared as possible for the upcoming new year now is a great time to be thinking of health care insurance. Open enrollment is just that: open! But it won’t be open forever. This is the time for selecting a new insurance plan for your health care needs. This is exactly what we’re doing. Our current health insurance is going up 21% in price. Researching and shopping for a new plan is at the top of our priority list. Our health depends on it.
Take advantage of open enrollment by researching your options at Anthem Blue Cross and HealthCare.gov.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and the very best of health in the new year!
Robin Masshole Mommy says
Here in Mass, health insurance is a requirement. There are huge fines on your taxes if you don’t.
Cathi says
We have that same law in California Robin. I’m so discouraged right now. My husband and I are retired and over the last few years our health insurance has skyrocketed. It’s the biggest expense we have when you add the deductibles. Yikes!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
You gave us three reasons, but there are literally hundreds of reasons to have health insurance. You never know what could happen, and you need to have the protection of health insurance.
Cathi says
I agree Stacie. As much as I’d like to let my insurance go because of the premiums and deductibles, I know it could be a devastating decision. The key is finding the plan that is affordable and will meet our needs. Here’s to a healthy happy new year!
Mistee Dawn says
So true. It is so super important. I wish more people could afford great health insurance.
Cathi says
So true Mistee. Everyone in California has to have health insurance or there’s a monetary fine.
Here’s to everyone having a healthy happy new year!
Kelly Hutchinson says
These are definitely really great reasons. Not sure what we would do without our health insurance.
Cathi says
Oh Kelly… There have been times over the years and actually now that I’ve wanted to save money and let our insurance go but I know better. Oh boy do I know.
Merry Christmas!
Jeanette says
Health plans are definitely number one on the list for my family. We are lucky enough to have health insurance through my husband’s work, but if I didn’t I would definitely be doing a whole bunch of research. That must’ve been scary for you when your daughter was in the hospital. I know I would’ve been terrified.
Reesa Lewandowski says
It’s really an expense no one should avoid. It’s so important. Could you imagine if you didn’t have it with your children??
Amy Desrosiers says
We are blessed to pay for insurance through my husband’s employer. It is still quite a bit, but we are appreciative we do not have to shop around.
Diana Rambles says
Very true. Health insurance is a life saver.
Dawn McAlexander says
My husband has Anthem Blue Cross where he works. Fortunately we have never had to use it, but I am sure it is good.
Kathy says
I agree about having health insurance. I think it’s very important. I don’t know what I’d do without my health insurance.
gingermommyrants says
Health insurance is so important to have. You never know when you will need it.
Oriana Romero says
I will have to take a look at Anthem Blue Cross. I agree it is so important to have good coverage.
Ann Bacciaglia says
Anthem Blue Cross sounds like a great option for Health Insurance. It is so important to make sure you are covered.
Alicia says
It’s so important to have health insurance! You never know what is going to happen and it’s better to have it and not use it than to not have it and need it.
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
I recommend getting life insurance. My hubby and I got it a couple years back. You never know what can happen.
Emily says
I had three surgeries this year and Anthem Blue Cross was there for me for all of them!!
janis @mommyblogexpert says
I can’t imagine raising a family without health insurance. For sure, everyone whether you have kids or not needs to have coverage.
Stacie says
Having health insurance is very important. I can’t imagine having to worry about medical bills piling up when a loved one is sick.
Tara says
I didn’t realize health care was so expensive. Anthem Blue Cross sounds like a great health insurance company to be with.
Brianne says
Health insurance is so so important. I remember owning my business and paying so much just so i would have the coverage!
Dawn Gibson-Thigpen says
oh man health insurance is sooo important. i was out it for like a year and worried so much everyday.
Claudia Krusch says
These are definitely great reasons. Loved getting all the info on your post! Not sure what we would do without health insurance.
Priscilla Pursell says
I grew up without health insurance. My mother was a waitress in the South. My father die leaving my mother with 4 kids and no skills. We got a shot of whiskey with lemon and honey for a cough. If that didn’t work, we got the juice cooked off onions. We got drops of urine (our own) in our ear for earaches. We used the Aloe plant for a lot of things. These were things that my Mom learn from her Grandmother. I was sick a lot. I remember not having any energy when I was just 10 years old and wanting to sleep a lot. When Mother did break down and took me to a doctor. The doctor felt sorry for us and took my adenoids out for free. The doctor said he had never seen adenoids infected as bad as mine were. Today my little sister is deaf in one ear. She was told it was from having so many ear infections and that were not treated . I know what it’s like to grow up poor with no insurance. Sometime people get dealt a bad hand of cards in life. Not because they are lazy and because they are on drugs. It makes me mad to hear people speak with no compassion about the poor. I work hard and make a good living now. I would be happy to give a portion of my tax money to the poor with no insurance.
ellen beck says
I wish more health insurance covered dental. There have been so many studies pointing too tooth disease as contributing to heart problems and so many other things.
I agree about health insurance, it is important, but for so many, it isnt within reach. They say medical bills are the leading cause of banktruptcy. I believe it. My husband had a heart attack and sshortly after cancer. I am still paying bills rolling in.