LEXINGTON, Ky. — As employer-sponsored healthcare plans, the Affordable Care Act marketplace and Medicare enter new enrollment periods, health experts are urging Kentucky residents to carefully review their coverage options and understand the full costs of their plans.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, emphasized the importance of preventive care during the enrollment period. "Catching something early costs less. Not only is it better for your physical health, it's also better for your financial health to make sure that you're getting that prevention and screening," Randall said, according to Public News Service.

Research shows preventive care can help catch complications early, boost medication adherence and help patients make lifestyle changes to stop conditions from getting worse. The need for such care is particularly acute in Kentucky, where more than 40% of adult Kentuckians live with at least one chronic illness and around 17% live with three or more chronic conditions.

Randall cautioned that monthly premiums are only one piece of the healthcare cost puzzle. "You want to ask yourself, what am I going to be responsible for paying beyond that monthly premium? And I'm talking about out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles. Make sure that you're considering and understanding what all of those numbers mean," she recommended.

To help with the decision-making process, Randall pointed residents to JustPlainClear.com for comparing employer-based healthcare plans and MedicareMadeClear.com for Medicare beneficiaries. Kentucky residents should review their options within the next few months to ensure they have appropriate coverage for the coming year.