With the December 15 Open Enrollment deadline approaching, thousands of people are rushing to choose a Marketplace plan before time runs out. But in the rush, many overlook critical details that lead to higher costs, surprise bills, and coverage that doesn’t actually fit their needs.

The good news? You can avoid all of these common mistakes with a little guidance — and the right person helping you.

If you want to avoid frustration, confusion, and expensive surprises in 2026, here are the biggest Marketplace traps to watch for before you choose your plan.

⭐ Mistake #1 — Choosing Based Only on Premium Price

This is the biggest mistake people make every year — picking the plan with the lowest monthly premium.

Low premiums feel good in the moment, but they often come with:

• High deductibles

• Smaller provider networks

• Higher prescription costs

• Limited specialist access

• Higher out-of-pocket maximums

In other words, the “cheapest” plan is often the most expensive once you start using it.

Before choosing a plan, review how much you'll actually spend if you get sick, need testing, see a specialist, or need prescriptions filled.

⭐ Mistake #2 — Ignoring Your Doctors and Provider Network

Many people assume that if their doctor was covered last year, they’ll be covered again this year — but that’s often not true.

Provider networks change every single year.

Before choosing a plan, always confirm:

• Is your primary care doctor in-network?

• Are your specialists in-network?

• Which hospitals your plan covers?

If you pick the wrong network, you could face thousands in out-of-network bills.

This is one of the top things Susan checks when reviewing plans for clients.

⭐ Mistake #3 — Not Reviewing Drug Coverage

Prescription tiers change every year, and this can dramatically change what you pay at the pharmacy.

Common problems include:

• Medications moving to a higher tier

• Some drugs no longer covered

• Increased copays

• Pharmacy restrictions

Even one change can cost you hundreds or thousands per year.

If you take medications regularly, reviewing drug coverage is essential — and one of the first things Susan checks when helping clients compare plans.

⭐ Mistake #4 — Overlooking Deductibles & Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs

Most people look only at the monthly premium — but the real financial risk comes from your deductible and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP).

These determine:

• How much you pay before insurance helps

• Your worst-case annual cost

• How quickly you reach coverage

A low-premium plan can have an extremely high MOOP, leaving you vulnerable if something unexpected happens.

If you’re not comfortable evaluating these numbers, that’s where personal guidance matters.

⭐Mistake #5 — Waiting Too Long to Ask for Help

The December 15 deadline is firm. Once it passes, your choices become extremely limited.

Waiting until the last minute often results in:

• Choosing the wrong plan

• Missing important details

• Not having time to compare properly

• Settling for a plan you don’t understand

A 10–15 minute conversation with the right person can prevent a year of frustration — and save you money.

With Susan, you’ll never get spam calls, sales pressure, or confusing suggestions.
You’ll only speak with her — one person, one point of contact, always.

⭐ Mistake #6 — Assuming You Have to Do This Alone

Choosing the right health plan is stressful for most people — especially when the Marketplace keeps changing.

But you don’t have to go through this alone.

Susan walks each person through the process:

• Reviewing your doctors

• Checking your prescriptions

• Comparing deductibles & networks

• Finding the best value

• Making sure the plan fits your needs

No call centers.
No repeating your information to multiple agents.
No spam.
Just one knowledgeable person helping you every step of the way.

⭐If you want help avoiding these costly Marketplace mistakes before the December 15 deadline, you can get personalized guidance here:

👉 Fill out the contact form:
https://coral-reef-insurance.com/contact

You’ll only hear from Susan — no spam, no sales lists, no surprises.