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June 19, 2014 By Julian

Using Your New Insurance Coverage

Common coverage questions

Once you’re enrolled in a health plan and your coverage has started, you can use it to help cover medical costs for services like:

If you haven’t had private health insurance before or if it’s been a while, you may want to learn about using your coverage and improving your health using our Roadmap to Better Care and a Healthier You.

If your health insurance company doesn’t pay for a specific health care provider or service, you can appeal an insurance company decision.

Unsure about your coverage? Learn what to do if you’renot sure you’re enrolled, or haven’t received your insurance card.

Learn more if your new coverage is through your state’s Medicaid or CHIP program.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “Using your new insurance coverage” http://www.Healthcare.gov. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/using-your-new-marketplace-coverage/

© 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.

June 19, 2014 By Julian

How Does The Health Care Law Protect Me?

Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

Health-Wellness_HealthCareLaw Health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing condition. They also can’t charge women more than men.

Being sick won’t keep you from getting coverage

Your insurance company can’t turn you down or charge you more because of your pre-existing health or medical condition like asthma, back pain, diabetes, or cancer. Once you have insurance, they can’t refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition.

This is true even if you’ve been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) also can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more because of your pre-existing condition.

When you get care for a pre-existing condition, you’ll still need to pay any deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance your plan requires. It doesn’t matter whether you’re being treated for a pre-existing or new health condition.

Questions? Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

One exception: Grandfathered plans

The only exception to the pre-existing coverage rule is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans — the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They don’t have to cover pre-existing conditions.

If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan that covers pre-existing conditions.

You can do this during open enrollment, but be sure to contact your insurance company first to learn about how and when you can cancel your current plan.
You can also buy a Marketplace plan outside open enrollment when your grandfathered plan year ends. Your plan ending gives you a special enrollment period to enroll in different coverage.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “How does the health care law protect me?” http://www.Healthcare.gov. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/how-does-the-health-care-law-protect-me/#part=3

June 19, 2014 By Julian

A Quick Guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace

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.

STILL NEED COVERAGE FOR 2015?

The Open Enrollment Period for 2015 coverage is over. Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage starts November 1, 2015.

Until then, you can still get 2015 coverage:

If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life change like marriage, having a baby, or losing other coverage

Through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provide coverage to families and individuals with limited income or other reasons.

Gather everything you need (PDF) before you call or log in. See 2015 plans and prices before you apply.

Here’s an overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange.”

The Marketplace helps people without health coverage find and enroll in a plan

If you don’t have coverage through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source, the Marketplace helps you find and enroll in a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.

You can apply online, by phone, or with a paper application. When you apply we’ll tell you if you qualify for:

A health insurance plan with savings based on your income. Most people who apply qualify for premium tax credits that lower the costs of coverage. Some also qualify for savings on deductibles, copayments, and other costs. All plans cover:
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs provide free or low-cost coverage to millions of individuals and families with limited income, disabilities, and some other circumstances. Many states are expanding Medicaid to cover all households below certain income levels. See if your state is expanding coverage.

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year. There’s no limited enrollment period for these programs. If you qualify, coverage can start immediately.

Qualifying coverage, fees and exemptions

You’re considered covered if you have any job-based plan, any plan you bought yourself, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and many other kinds of coverage. See a full list.
Most people must have qualifying health coverage or pay a fee. If you don’t have coverage in 2015, you’ll pay a penalty of either 2% of your income, or $325 per adult ($162.50 per child) —whichever is higher.
Some people qualify for a health coverage exemption. If you do, you don’t have to pay the fee.

Questions? Contact us. We’re available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

Source: HealthCare.gov, “A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace” http://www.Healthcare.gov. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/

June 16, 2014 By Julian Aston

IN: Health Care: How To Manage Your Insurance

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of the “———————-” we explain how you can manage your health insurance.

Read on for some common coverage questions. Understand how the health care law protects you including coverage for pre-existing conditions. And get a one page guide to the Insurance Marketplace that’s full of information you will need to ensure proper management for yourself and your family. It’s quick rundown on the most important things to know.

Please feel free to call us if you have any unanswered questions.

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

Kind regards,