Individual health insurance plans can change from one coverage year to the next.
Employees should review their options during each annual enrollment period because:
Premiums can change
Provider networks can change
Prescription formularies can change
Service areas can change
A policy can be modified, replaced, or discontinued
Even when a carrier keeps the same policy name, the premium, network, benefits, or employee-paid portion may be different.
Passive renewal can therefore result in coverage that no longer provides the same terms as the previous year.
Renewal should be treated as another plan-selection decision.