The Clark Howard Podcast 09.29.25 This Open Enrollment Is Different / A Good Climb: CD Ladders
46 snips
Sep 29, 2025 Health insurance choices for 2026 are nuanced this year, with rising costs and new employer reimbursement plans requiring careful review. Clark discusses the shift towards individual market risks as employers change how they provide coverage. He introduces the concept of CD ladders as a smart strategy to handle savings amidst fluctuating interest rates. Listeners also get insights on arbitration changes, how to navigate fees with purchase disputes, and the benefits of dedicated phones for two-factor authentication.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Open Enrollment Will Be More Painful In 2026
- Congress passed summer tax law changes that will make health coverage substantially more expensive in 2026.
- Employers will likely shift more costs to employees, so open enrollment requires careful plan comparison.
Compare Coverages, Not Just Premiums
- Do not blindly re-enroll; thoroughly compare plan coverages, not just premiums, during open enrollment.
- Match plan choices to your expected medical usage and read exclusions carefully.
Watch For Fake Individual Plans
- Individual-market premiums may surge and attract fake or semi-insurance plans.
- Cheap-sounding plans can be medical discount schemes that leave you uninsured for major illnesses.