Rand: This is Healthcare 411: Information for better health. Open enrollment season - the time when employees decide which plan they’ll have next year. AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy says it’s an important choice, so employees need to understand their options.

Dr. Clancy: To get the best value, you need to understand your different coverage options and how they work. Then you need to make a choice that’s based on your personal situation, such as whether you are single or married or have a chronic health condition. Not all health plans pay for the same services or the same amounts for services. And different plans can include different doctors, hospitals, and other care providers. Understanding how each plan works, what it does and doesn’t cover, and the quality of care each plan provides are good ways to choose a plan that’s right for you.

Rand: Healthcare 411 is produced by AHRQ, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Rand Gardner for Healthcare 411.