Once a year, it's a good idea to take stock of your health benefits. Your health needs
change and your plan needs to keep up.

If you have health benefits through your employer, you get to change them during "open enrollment." It's typically in the fall. This is when you can choose a new health plan, pick new benefits or cancel your current plan.

The only other times you can change your health benefits is when you:

• Get married
• Get a divorce or legal separation
• Give birth or adopt a child
• Lose your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner lost his or her job
• Lose your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner died
• Get help with this open enrollment checklist from Plan for Your Health.

Contact your company's Human Resources department to learn more. If you are an Aetna member, you can also contact Member Services.

When job-related changes happen

Losing a job or changing jobs usually means giving up the health insurance plan you have through work. here are some options for getting new health coverage:

• Find out if you can stay on your employer's  health plan for a period of time through the Consolidated Omnibus Budges Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).
• Buy an individual plan on your own.
• Join a government program, such as Medicaid.
• Understand your rights. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) makes it easier for people to change jobs without losing health coverage. Visit the United States Department of Labor website to learn more.
• Find out what plans your new employer offers. Consider these questions when choosing a health insurance plan. Ask the Human Resources department if the company offers Aetna plans.

Graduating college?

This may be the first time you're thinking about health benefits. Consider:

• Staying on your parent's health plan. Contact the employer's Human Resources department for more information.
• Buying an individual health plan on your own.
• Getting coverage through a new employer