SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Signing up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act opens November first and there are many unknowns.
Navigator Alexa Raymond says the biggest is the Sanford-Avera split and she says currently there's not a list available as to which provider will be in which network.
Raymond says enrollees are going to have about 18 plans to choose from. However, if they are choosing an Avera plan they have to know that they can have Avera providers. And similarly, if they choose a Sanford plan they have to stick with Sanford providers.
Raymond says choices will be driven more by location this year. She says those who use the individual insurance market will have many of the same choices but will have to check details closely
She says it's going to be difficult for people who have used both of the providers for different areas of their health needs. It will require more travel time and more forethought on where to go to get that help.
She says both Avera and Sanford plans will have an average rate increase of 36% to 39%.
The enrollment period runs from November 1st through December 15th.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)