Open Enrollment With Lean Local

Jim Schmitt welcomes John Woodhead of Woodhead Insurance to unpack what open enrollment really means for families in Green Bay. John explains how the Affordable Care Act bases financial assistance on income—the lower your income, the cheaper your plan becomes—but notes those subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. The conversation also looks at why medical bills are so high, how hospitals set inflated rates for negotiation, and what options exist for people approaching Medicare eligibility. John outlines how most can qualify at age 65 and even deduct premiums directly from their Social Security checks, which can lead to major savings. For anyone wondering whether they’re on the right plan, John’s advice is simple: talk to a local insurance agent who knows which hospitals and providers are covered in your area, or use Medicare.gov to double-check that your doctors and prescriptions are included. Tune in Sundays at 7 a.m. on 97.9 FM, or stream anytime on the Civic Media app, Spotify, or Apple Music. Guest: John Woodhead