Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of “—————-” we focus on Health Insurance.

The introduction of the Affordable Care Act put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that affect everyone. Read on to get an understanding of some of the key issues and changes that impact you and your family, including how you are protected, what the health coverage options are if you are unemployed, and a quick rundown on the most important things to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange,” and more.

Please contact us for more information. We have knowledgeable people on our staff who understand health care insurance.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

Rights & Protections

Whether you need health coverage or have it already, the health care law offers new rights and protections that make coverage fairer and easier to understand.

Some rights and protections apply to plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace or other individual insurance, some apply to job-based plans, and some apply to all health coverage.

Use this guide to learn about your rights and protections today.

How the health care law protects you

• Creates the Health Insurance Marketplace, a new way for individuals, families, and small businesses to get health coverage
• Requires insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing health conditions
• Helps you understand the coverage you’re getting
• Holds insurance companies accountable for rate increases
• Makes it illegal for health insurance companies to arbitrarily cancel your health insurance just because you get sick
• Protects your choice of doctors
• Covers young adults under 26
• Provides free preventive care
• Ends lifetime and yearly dollar limits on coverage of essential health benefits

In addition to the rights and benefits included in this guide, here are some others:

• Breastfeeding equipment and support
• Birth control methods and counseling
• Mental health and substance abuse services
• Appealing a health plan decision

Questions? Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)

Source: HealthCare.gov, “How does the health care law protect me?”
http://www.HealthCare.gov. Accessed November 30, 2015.
https://www.healthcare.gov/how-does-the-health-care-law-protect-me/

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

Here’s a quick rundown on the most important things to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange.” Follow the links for more information on each topic.

Important. Marketplace Open Enrollment ended March 31. You can still buy a Marketplace health plan only if you qualify for a special enrollment period. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time. Find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or Medicaid and CHIP. Open Enrollment for 2015 coverage starts November 15, 2014.

The Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people find health coverage. Fill out the Marketplace application and we’ll tell you if you qualify for:

• Private health insurance. Plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care.
• Lower costs based on your household size and income. You can preview plans available in your area right now, with prices based on your income and household size. Most people who apply will qualify for lower costs.
• Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs cover millions of families with limited income. If it looks like you qualify, we’ll share information with your state agency and they’ll contact you. Many but not all states are expanding Medicaid in 2014 to cover more people. Find out what Medicaid expansion means for you.

Most people are eligible to use the Marketplace. Learn more aboutimmigration status and eligibility.

Most people must have health coverage in 2014 or pay a penalty. If you don’t have coverage, you’ll pay a fee of either 1% of your income, or $95 per adult ($47.50 per child), whichever is higher. You’ll pay the fee on your 2015 income taxes.

Some people qualify for an exemption to the fee, based on income or other factors.

You’re considered covered if you have Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, anyjob-based plan, any plan you bought yourself, COBRA, retiree coverage,TRICARE, VA health coverage, or some other kinds of health coverage.

You can also buy a plan outside the Marketplace and still be considered covered. If you buy outside the Marketplace, you won’t be eligible for premium tax credits or lower out-of-pocket costs based on your income.

If you’re eligible for job-based insurance, you can consider switching to a Marketplace plan. But you won’t qualify for lower costs based on your income unless the job-based insurance isn’t considered affordableor doesn’t meet minimum requirements.

If you have Medicare, you’re considered covered and don’t have to make any changes. If you have Medicare, you can’t use the Marketplace to buy a supplemental plan or dental plan.

Use this checklist to gather items you’ll need when applying for coverage.

Start your application now.

Questions? Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)

Important information about paper applications

If you mailed in a paper application, you should get a call from the Marketplace when your application is processed. They’ll explain how to finish enrolling online or by phone. If you haven’t been contacted about your paper application yet, you don’t have to wait: You can go online or call the Marketplace to start a new application and enroll.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “Get Covered: A one-page guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace” http://www.HealthCare.gov. Accessed November 30, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/get-covered-a-1-page-guide-to-the-health-insurance-marketplace/

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

If you’re unemployed you may qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or lower costs on Marketplace insurance based on your income.

Your options depend on your household income

Your household size and income, not your employment status, will determine what health coverage options you’re eligible for and how much help you get paying for coverage.

When you apply for Marketplace coverage you will estimate your income for the year.

Learn about how to estimate your income.

Your health coverage options

Based on your income, you may qualify for any of the following:

• Medicaid. Medicaid provides coverage to millions of Americans with limited incomes or disabilities. Each state’s Medicaid rules are different. Many states have expanded Medicaid to cover more people. You can apply for Medicaid in your state now to see if you are eligible. Or you can fill out a Marketplace application to find out if you will qualify in your state.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP provides coverage for children, and in some states pregnant women, in families with incomes too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. You can apply for CHIP in your state right now to find out if you’re eligible. Or you can fill out a Marketplace application to find out if you’re eligible.
• Lower costs on Marketplace insurance. You may qualify forlower costs for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs on private insurance based on your household size and income. Some people with very low incomes may wind up paying very small premiums. You can apply for Marketplace insurance now.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “What are my health coverage options if I’m unemployed? http://www.HealthCare.gov. Accessed November 30, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/what-are-my-health-coverage-options-if-im-unemployed/

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.