When open enrollment comes around and you find you need to change your coverage, think about it. There are things we all do, without a second thought, which can be a lot harder to get than health care coverage.

1. A spot in that great day-care before your child can baby-sit.
   It can be hard to get the preschool spot you want for your precious bundle – applications, interviews and long wait lists. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? Well, for starters, you can sign up online without ever leaving your house! Plus, if you have a qualified health insurance plan that comes with essential health benefits, though, you can relax. You are covered for the vaccinations your little one needs before starting preschool. (Getting the paperwork is still on you, though.)
   
   
2. Tickets to a pop star concert.
   What’s easier about getting health care coverage? Health care coverage doesn’t “sell out” in seconds. Open enrollment for qualified health plans is from November 1 to December 15. Sign up in that window, and your health plans can cover an annual hearing screening. Between your tween’s excited screaming and the loud music, you may want to save that screening for after the show.
   
   
3. A senior housing spot when your parents (or you) need it.
   Good senior housing spots can be harder to come by than preschool spots! Popular communities can boast wait times in years. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? There are no wait lists for health plans, just effective dates based on when you sign up. When you sign up for health care coverage, check out our Medicare information. Did you know Medicare plans may cover some home health agency help? Could be helpful while you wait for that apartment.
   
   
4. A chair at the pool any day above 90 degrees.
   It’s the dog days of summer. The temperature could hit three digits. You get the kids ready, pack the pool bag, and off you go to the pool. Surprise! ALL of your best friends and neighbors had the same idea. There’s not a chair or umbrella in sight. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? Mailing in a paper application to the Marketplace. After you apply sunscreen of course. Good thing you caught that Sun safety tip in your BCBSOK LifeTimes newsletter this week! Yes, we even cover you at the pool. Stay cool!
   
   
5. Extra tickets for Junior's graduation.
   Ever run into a ticket shortage for a school graduation? Not being able to get grandparents or aunts and uncles through the door can be disappointing. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? BCBSOK open enrollment events don’t require tickets, just your time and interest. At least with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) you can keep your graduates on your plan until they turn 26.
   
   
6. The hot new tech gizmo on the day it launches.
   Every time a hot new gadget hits the market, it seems to sell out faster than you can say, “How cool!” What’s easier about getting health care coverage? If you are a gizmo-loving 26 six years old or younger, your parents can add you to their health plan.
   
   
7. Parking within a mile of the mall during the holidays.
   Do you hate shopping at the mall during the holiday season? Do you circle for an hour looking for a parking spot? That mile from your car to the door sure looks good on your fitness tracker. But how good is it for your schedule or sanity? What’s easier about getting health care coverage? You never have to leave your home to sign up for a health plan. When you do, coverage BCBSOK can even give you online gift shopping options. Your health plan with BCBSOK includes Blue365®. Blue365 offers discounts on health- and wellness- related items. These range from trackers to massages to shoes and apparel and more. Members who sign up for Well onTarget® can also earn reward points. These points can be redeemed for discounts on a wider variety of merchandise. So get healthy and start shopping.
   
   
8. An affordable apartment. Anywhere.
   We get it. Life is expensive and seems more so every day. Those of us at BCBSOK who serve you live in the budget-buster world you do. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? You may qualify for a federal premium tax credit. Find out with our health plan subsidy estimator tool online.
   
   
9. Parent-teacher conference slots outside business hours.
   We know how it is. It doesn’t matter if you go to an office or work from home. Trying to get to school during the day is an adventure. After-hours slots go faster than those pop concert tickets. What’s easier about getting health care coverage? At least when you shop for health care coverage, you can reach BCBSMT well into the evening on weekdays. Our licensed agents are available both weekend days as well. Our Ask Ivy virtual assistant is also available online 24/7 to help answer your basic questions.
   

   Questions? Give us a call:
   1-866-793-8115

10. Great daily deals before they sell out.
    Ever get excited about a great new daily deal only to find several thousand other shoppers beat you to it? What’s easier about getting health care coverage? If you are a student on a budget, check if BCBSOK offers health care coverage through your university. Just remember, we can’t sell out! BUT we do need you to sign up by December 15, for a qualified health plan starting January 1, for a full, qualified health plan.

Originally published 8/14/2015; Revised 2018