This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA.
The brief open enrollment period for health insurance ended last week, leaving many workers unsure if they selected the best plan for themselves and their families. But why is open enrollment such a confusing and stressful time?
We have many plans to choose from, with different premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. In addition there are HSAs, FSAs, long term care insurance, and more! With all these choices, it seems like we should be able to make careful plans for the future. However, as healthcare workers we know that health is unpredictable and impossible to know a year in advance.
No one wants to spend too much on premiums for insurance we never use. But we also don’t want to get sick or hurt and be left with a big bill for choosing the wrong plan.
Planning for our healthcare should not be this hard, especially for workers who dedicate their careers to taking care of others. Instead of a week-long panic about making the wrong choice, we should have healthcare that is free, high-quality, and accessible to everyone.
Click here to read the article printed in the 11-12-25 Highland Healthcare Newsletter
