4 essentials for managing your health insurance plan

If you're enrolled in a 2016 health insurance plan, here's what you need to know to about getting the full benefit of your health coverage and keeping it up to date.

4 health insurance tips to use all year

1. Pay your first month's premium to your plan if you haven't already. You must pay it each month to keep your health insurance benefits.


2. Submit any missing documents. If you get a notice saying there are data matching issues or "inconsistencies" in your application, some information you provided doesn't match our records. To avoid losing your health coverage or savings, follow the directions in the notice and submit documents.


3. Update your income and information if it changes. Report any life changes - like changes in income, household size, or residence, or other coverage offers - as soon as they happen. These changes may affect your insurance coverage or savings - and your tax bill next year.


4. Be sure to file your 2015 taxes. If you had a 2015 plan with a premium tax credit, you must file a 2015 federal income tax return. If you don't, you may lose any savings you're getting on a 2016 plan.

Didn't enroll in a 2016 health insurance plan?

Open Enrollment for a 2017 health plan begins on November 1. But if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or Medicaid or CHIP, you can apply for 2016 coverage now.