RALEIGH, N.C. — The price of health care has many people looking for ways to protect themselves during open enrollment.

Open enrollment for health insurance varies across companies but typically comes in the closing months of the year.

Fayetteville financial adviser Alan Porter says people should consider three things during open enrollment:

• Get a health savings account, or HSA, which is available to most employees with a high-deductible health insurance plan
• Make a long-term care plan. Remember, regular health insurance doesn’t cover long-term care
• Get life insurance

Porter says an HSA is a great savings tool.

“They offer triple tax benefit: Contributions are made pre-tax, your money grows tax-free and you can use funds tax-free for qualified medical expenses,” he said. “Saving on taxes helps you make the most of your hard-earned income.”

“Plus, once you turn 65, you can use your HSA funds for any reason without paying a penalty,” he added.

Financial advisers say even people with insurance may not be able to afford needed medical treatment.

The problem has gotten so bad that people are turning to GoFundMe accounts, Porter says.

“That’s why crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe see more campaigns related to helping people pay their medical bills than any other category,” he said.

“Making health care more affordable is a complex problem, but I advise clients to control what’s in their control: Make sure to have an emergency savings fund and consider insurance options beyond traditional medical insurance to protect you and your loved ones.”

To learn more about eligible expenses, go to strategicwealthstrategies.com.