For a 20th anniversary theater viewing of Space Jam, my friend, Sam, suggested that we dress up as characters from the movie. If you’re not familiar with Space Jam (shocked, I’M SHOCKED) — it is a 1996 classic starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan. VH1 commonly airs it at 7:00 PM on Fridays, in case you need solid plans in the next few days. In regards to dressing up for the showing, I had to be honest with Sam. Much like with Halloween costumes, my creative intentions and preparedness are short-lived; I will probably attend wearing glow stick bracelets that I found in a junk drawer.
On the night of the event, I hope truer Space Jam fans can coordinate enthusiastic outfits, but it won’t be Sam and I (his staple costume is a Ketchup Bottle). In spite of my default junk drawer plans, the increased health insurance rates for 2017 have inspired me to incorporate *spooky* insurance details into DIY costumes.
If you’ve searched for a way to weave the current state of health insurance into your Halloween traditions, look no further!
![Health Insurance Agent Leah, wearing "The Enrollment Cap." Ensemble can be fancied-up with glow sticks on Halloween night.](https://mnhealthagents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-5-300x300.jpeg)
Health Insurance Agent Leah, wearing “The Enrollment Cap.” Ensemble can be fancied-up with glow sticks on Halloween night.
The Enrollment Cap
What you need: A baseball cap, paper, a marker to write “Enrollment Cap” on the paper.
How to wear it: Wear cap on head.
Carriers like Medica, UCare and HealthPartners will only accept enrollees up to a certain number. That is especially scary if you wait too long to enroll — your first pick might be gone.
![Ken, one of our Health Insurance Agents, modeling "The Shrunken Network."](https://mnhealthagents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-3-298x300.jpeg)
Ken, one of our friendly Health Insurance Agents, modeling “The Shrunken Network.”
The Shrunken Network
What you need: A wool sweater that accidentally ended up in the dryer, or any item of clothing that is, well, constricting.
How to wear it: Put item of clothing on, be uncomfortable with your limited range of mobility.
The networks for all carriers have narrowed. If you see a particular doctor or only want to travel to a certain clinic, make sure the 2017 plan you chooses covers your preferred providers. If you don’t, an out-of-network bill might be freaky frightening.
![Evi, Customer Service Representative, modeling "The High Premium." Ignore the foreign money, desperate photo-taking times...](https://mnhealthagents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-6-300x300.jpeg)
Evi, Customer Service Representative, modeling “The High Premium.” Ignore the foreign money, desperate photo-taking times…
The High Premium
What you need: Monopoly money and tape. Or actual dollar bills that you’d rather spend on a vacation, a mortgage payment or Vikings tickets. Or Monopoly money.
How to wear it: Use tape to adhere money to body.
Premiums increased carrier-wide, with some plans seeing an almost 70% jump in cost. That’s scarier than a visit to a haunted house, for sure. But, your income and family size may qualify you for a discount on your health insurance. An agent can help you navigate the premium increases, determine your subsidy and help locate the best plan for you.
![](https://mnhealthagents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-7-300x300.jpeg)
Rocky, “The 26 Year Old” (and the only crop top model available). He looks miserable because of health insurance costs, not because I made him wear a shirt for two minutes.
The 26 Year Old
What you need: Any outfit from H & M will do. It’s October, but maybe a crop top? You can still pull it off.
How to wear it: Pair the carefree crop top with the gloomy realization that you have a new monthly bill for health insurance. Womp.
You’re not allowed to be covered under Mom and Dad’s health insurance anymore. It was a nice ride while it lasted, but it’s time to shop for plans for yourself. Without the help of a broker, scrolling through the options may feel like a never-ending corn maze.
![Customer Service Representative Xee modeling the "The 30 Year Old." Catastrophic plans, goodbye!](https://mnhealthagents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-8-300x300.jpeg)
Customer Service Representative Xee modeling the “The 30 Year Old.” Catastrophic plans, goodbye!
The 30 Year Old
What you need: Any outfit from H & M will still do, but wear whatever you like. I seem to have amassed a large collection of sweaters from Banana Republic as a 30-something and I recently purchased a fanny pack.
How to wear it: Wear your sweater (or anything) with confidence, but appear somewhat bummed by your heightened health insurance rates.
You’ve been able to purchase a catastrophic plan – lower premium and higher deductible — up until now. But, you’re a newbie 30-something, and these plans are no longer designated as qualified health plans in the health insurance marketplace. Your options for 2017 will be a bit more expensive, but not blood-curdling.
Happy Halloween!