Watching Your Wallet: Preparing for open enrollment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Healthcare costs are on the rise and finding affordable coverage has become a top priority for consumers.

It's important to take the time to understand your options.

"Which one is going to be the best for us and what is going to allow us to get the most benefit out of what our employer offers to us," says VP of Surest United Healthcare, Charlotte West.

There's now a range of health insurance options available on the market, so understand what your employer is offering.

"Look at the elements of those plans rather than just maybe picking the one that's the lowest cost out of your paycheck," West said. "That may be the right one for you, but you have to really understand kind of what goes along with it."

West says take a close look at the provider network to make sure the doctors and hospitals that are important to you are considered in-network.

"I would also encourage people to look at plans that offer clear upfront prices and a really simple benefit design," she said.

Consider plans with a familiar digital experience.

"Many of us now expect that kind of speed, clarity and choice across all aspects of our lives, and healthcare is no exception, so look at the digital tools that are available to you," West said.

West says there are affordable options on the market, including Surest, that is designed to be affordable and transparent.

"They're designed to have a really simple, easy-to-use experience, more transparency and costs, and really offer a broad choice of coverage," she said. "It's really important for people to take a look at those different elements."

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