Navigating open enrollment as a busy mom
Planning for open enrollment
For Anna Elgersma and her husband Paul, life is full — and fast-paced. Juggling full-time jobs while raising three daughters involved in sports and activities, their days are jam packed from morning to night.
“Every day is full, from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed,” Anna said, with a smile.
But when open enrollment season rolls around, Anna slows down to focus and takes the time to plan —for both everyday health needs and the unexpected.
Their oldest daughter, Kate, has Down syndrome, which means her health care needs can be more complex and costly.
“Kate’s visits can be more expensive because of the specialists we need to see,” Anna said. “We see a cardiologist every year. She goes to speech therapy. Then we've got your typical annual wellness visits.”
With three young kids, Anna said minor illnesses like pink eye or strep throat can be inevitable — and with all their activities, so is the potential for broken bones or stitches.
That’s why she’s grateful to have the Surest health plan, which eliminates deductibles and provides upfront costs, making it easier and less stressful to find affordable care through the app.
“Knowing exactly what that price point is going to be is a big relief,” she said. “There won’t be surprises after the visit.”
She also leans on resources to help. For example, UnitedHealthcare has a page dedicated to open enrollment, where people can get tips, help with understanding health care terms and learn about new products and offerings that may be available.
For Anna, having confidence in her choice at the end of the day means she’ll have more peace of mind if health needs pop up.
“UnitedHealthcare is there for my family,” Anna said. “Knowing that we will be covered in the little things and in the big things — it’s a relief.”
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