Duck, Duck, Goose During Open Enrollment from Aflac #sponsored #MC

Mama’s Mission

Quacks About Open Enrollment

with the Duck from Aflac!

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Aflac. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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My husband is a pretty healthy guy. Unexpectedly last year my husband had to take some time off from work due to a short-term disability. Luckily we were able keep up with our bills, but unfortunately, the savings wasn’t lasting long. All I kept thinking was if we had signed up for Aflac we wouldn’t be starting our savings from zero.

Since I manage the household finances, and all other paperwork, when hubby receives paperwork from work he drops it on my desk. I try to prioritize and focus on what needs to be done first. I’ve seen the Aflac open enrollment papers for several years in a row now, but never made the time for them. Like I said, he’s healthy, I really didn’t think we would need it. This year I have my eye on the duck. I won’t be a sitting goose anymore.

Around this time every year, we must renew our health care benefits for the next year. In the last few years the regular health policies have changed pretty dramatically and really consumed a lot of time figuring out the best options for our family. How much is the co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, and hospital coverage? It can be very overwhelming and confusing, I feel like I need a PhD.

Aflac’s 2013 Open Enrollment Survey found we’re not alone, as 74 percent of workers sometimes, rarely or never understand everything covered by their current health care policy. With continuous changes in our health care system, it has become more critical than ever to fully understand benefits packages to ensure our family has the necessary coverage in case of a medical emergency and to avoid costly mistakes.

With the new health care reform, this year will be even more confusing. Things never covered before will not be covered, some expenses should decrease, but others will increase. Did you know you were supposed to be informed of these changes by Oct 1st? If you aren’t sure about what is being offered, be sure to ask. That is what your HR manager is there for. Especially, about supplemental insurance. You can only opt in for supplemental insurance once a year, during open enrollment, and that time is now.

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This year, be sure to examine premium costs carefully because cheaper isn’t always better. Normally, insurance plans with the lowest monthly premiums almost always mean you’ll pay more in co-insurance and still receive less coverage.

Also, be sure to consider supplemental insurance. I sure wish I had. They have coverage for things such as accidents, hospital or critical illness plans, all to help reduce rising health care expenses. Talk to co-workers that are enrolled and ask if they have ever needed to use it and how it worked out. One of my husbands co-workers was able to take additional maternity leave when she gave birth. The best part, she was covered by her supplemental insurance and didn’t have to worry about making ends meet. She fully was able to enjoy her newborn without the stress.

This family isn’t taking anymore chances. I will be taking the time to review all the health documents available during open enrollment. I have already scheduled a meeting with my husbands HR rep to discuss all of our options, including how to protect ourselves should an unexpected emergency arise that could really cost us.

Be sure to check out Aflac’s Open Enrollment Resources by clicking .

Disclosure: Mama’s Mission received a promotional item as a thank you for participating in the above mentioned campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Aflac. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally or will be using, and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are honest, true and 100% my own, I will never allow any outside influences, including free products or promotional items, to affect my opinion. Mama’s Mission was not compensated for this post. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Mama E

Multitasking mama to 3 living in Miami. Blogging about parenting, lifestyle, cooking and traveling. Covering everything from diapers to dorm rooms. Ask me anything, I've done it all.

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