5 Mistakes Virginians Make When Picking Health Insurance
Health insurance is one of the most important financial decisions a Virginia resident makes each year — and most people spend less than 20 minutes on it. That's how mistakes happen.
Here are the five most common errors I see, and how to avoid every one of them.
Mistake 1: Choosing the Lowest Premium Without Looking at the Deductible
A low monthly premium feels like a win. But if the plan comes with a $7,000 deductible, you'll pay $7,000 out of pocket before your insurance covers almost anything. For someone who visits the doctor regularly, that low-premium plan could end up costing far more than a higher-premium option with a $1,500 deductible.
A broker compares both the premium and the deductible so you can see your true annual cost before you choose.
Mistake 2: Not Checking If Your Doctor Is In-Network
This is the most painful surprise in health insurance. You enroll in a plan, see your regular doctor, and then receive a bill for the full amount because your doctor isn't covered. Networks change every year, and a plan that covered your doctor in 2025 may not cover them in 2026.
Mistake 3: Auto-Renewing Without Comparing
Virginia Marketplace plans change every year. Premiums shift, networks change, and new plans launch with better value. If you let your plan auto-renew without reviewing your options, you may be paying more than necessary for a plan that no longer fits your life.
Every Open Enrollment period, I review my clients' plans against every new option available in their ZIP code. Most years, we find something better.
Mistake 4: Not Claiming Subsidies You Qualify For
Thousands of Virginia residents pay full price for health insurance because they assume they don't qualify for financial help — or they don't know they can get it. In 2026, more than 78% of Virginia Marketplace enrollees received subsidies. The cutoff is higher than most people think.
If you're self-employed, between jobs, working part-time, or your household income has changed, you may qualify for a significant premium reduction. A broker calculates this for you before you enroll.
Mistake 5: Skipping the Broker Entirely
This is the mistake that makes all the others worse. People think they save money by enrolling directly online. They don't. Broker services are free — the plan costs the exact same whether you use one or not.
The difference is that without a broker, you're comparing dozens of plans on your own, calculating subsidies on your own, and checking networks on your own. Most people make at least one of the mistakes above when they do it alone.
Avoid All Five in One Conversation
Call or text me and I'll make sure none of these happen to you. We'll compare every plan, run your numbers, check your doctors, and get you enrolled correctly.
757-991-9290 — free, no obligation, same-day help.