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Category: Family Health Insurance

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Using an Insurance Broker to Successfully Maneuver the Open Enrollment Period

If you are one of the many Americans who missed Obamacare’s first open enrollment period, it is important that you start preparing so that you can be ready when the second open enrollment period arrives. If you miss this second period, you will be forced to pay a penalty for each month that you do not have health insurance. Unless you qualify for the special enrollment period, you could be paying hefty penalties for several months until the third open enrollment period arrives.

The second Covered California open enrollment period starts on November 15, 2014 and will end on February 15, 2015. During this time, you must obtain health insurance in order to avoid the penalty. During the weeks leading up to the second open enrollment period, you will want to gather all important documents such as birth certificates, proof of citizenship, etc. If you find the market exchange confusing, an insurance broker can guide you through this complicated process.

We understand how confusing the laws and regulations surrounding Obamacare can be, especially if you have never purchased health insurance before. Many individuals who are inexperienced in purchasing health insurance benefit immensely by using a broker. Insurance brokers such as the experienced brokers at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services guide you through each step of the health insurance process, free of charge. Our experience makes us the perfect candidates to sit down and compare varying plans and policies with you, to ensure that you obtain the most affordable policy possible.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California health insurance needs. We are extremely knowledgeable in all regulations and laws surrounding the Affordable Care Act, which is why we are the perfect team to guide you in your health insurance endeavors. We can help ensure that your health insurance complies will all new rules and regulations.

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Carrier Changes for Covered California

As the next open enrollment period fast approaches, many state insurance exchanges are preparing for the overflow of traffic. Most state insurance exchanges have begun preparing for the second Obamacare enrollment period by adding new carriers. However, Covered California did not follow the trend, rather they chose to decrease in size. Yes, you heard right!

As one of the largest states in America, many were surprised to hear that Covered California only had 13 carriers at the start of the first open enrollment period. This year, Covered California will only have 10 carriers. For any other state, 10 carriers would suffice. Of the 10 Covered California carriers, only 4 of them are major insurers with Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, and Anthem Blue Cross.

As if your freedom of choice was not taken with the implementation of Obamacare in the first place, forcing all Americans to obtain health insurance, you now have even less choice. Many regions throughout California are forced to depend on the only insurance carrier available to them, eliminating choice altogether.

Many insurance experts are fearful of the lack of choice Covered California has provided. Since the lack of varying insurance carriers eliminates competition fears continue to rise about the success of Covered California. One main concern that many insurance experts have brought to everyone’s attention is the insurance carrier’s ability to raise prices for insurance. The purpose of Obamacare is to provide Americans with affordable health care, however, the lack of multiple participating carriers gives contributing carriers the ability to raise prices, because there is a lack of many other health insurance options.

We understand that the various implications surrounding Covered California may have you confused, and that is why we are available to dispel any myths and reveal only the truth. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California health insurance needs.

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5 Reasons The Insurance Agent Is More Important Than Ever

Despite common initial reaction to recent health care reform, health insurance brokers are still important, if not more important when it comes to the health care industry. With the majority of California residents still wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect their lives, insurance brokers are able to help individuals and small businesses navigate through the various health insurance regulations. Gathered are 5 reasons why your insurance broker will become even more vital of an asset to you:

  1. If you are one of the many individuals who will be purchasing health insurance for the first time, your insurance broker will be able to answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the process of successfully enrolling in health care.
  2. Your insurance agent will be able to tell you whether or not your existing health insurance plan can become a grandfathered plan where you can keep it. You can even ask your insurance agent to help you determine which plan is the most cost effective and which provides the most benefits to you.
  3. As a small business owner, you may be able to purchase SHOP coverage through your insurance broker. Likewise, your insurance agent can help make sure that you are following all new rules and regulations under Obamacare, and help you assess the various health insurance options.
  4. As a small business owner, you can utilize the various benefits of having an employee benefits broker by your side. Your insurance broker will be able to manage your health care costs while ensuring that your organization complies with all rules and regulations.
  5. Most importantly to note, your insurance agent has been in the industry far longer than any health care reform navigator, therefore, they will best be able to assist you.

We understand that the various implications surrounding Covered California may have you confused, and that is why we are available to dispel any myths and reveal only the truth. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California health insurance needs.

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How Will Covered California Affect My Health Insurance?

With the introduction of Covered California, better known as Obamacare, many individuals and businesses are left wondering how the implications will affect their lives. Health exchanges have been put in place, providing individuals and businesses with a specific place where they can purchase health insurance through Covered California.

Although these health exchanges have been put in place, many Californians will continue purchasing health insurance from insurance companies, brokers, and private health exchanges. Since the majority of California residents who purchase health insurance will not qualify for government tax subsidies, many individuals would prefer to avoid purchasing health insurance from the state exchange service.

If you choose to purchase health insurance on an off-exchange plan, you will still be receiving top quality care. This is because the off-exchange plans are required to follow the 10 essential health benefits, offering the following 10 necessities:

  • Services during emergencies
  • Outpatient care without hospital admittance
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity care and newborn care
  • Care for those with mental health and substance abuse problems
  • Prescription medications
  • Rehab and rehabilitative services
  • Laboratory facilities
  • Pediatric care
  • Preventative care

While there are still options for health insurance, it is now required by law that you obtain health insurance. Under the recent health care reform, all individuals must have health insurance. Likewise, there are a variety of legal requirements businesses must abide by now. If you have more than 50 full-time employees, you are now required by law to offer those employees health insurance. The next open enrollment period is fast approaching, so be sure to get informed so that you can make the appropriate health insurance decision based on your unique needs.

We understand that the various implications surrounding the Affordable Care Act may have you confused, and that is why we are available to dispel any myths and reveal only the truth. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California health insurance needs.

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Qualify for Special Enrollment Periods

If you missed the health insurance deadline on March 31, you may still qualify for one of the Special Enrollment Periods to access the Healthcare Marketplace. These are 60-day windows to enroll after certain “life events” that change your individual or family status from the open enrollment time frames.

Special Enrollment Periods

Along with some specified life events, should you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you are able to apply for coverage at any time. Otherwise, you need to meet guidelines for special enrollment periods with “qualifying life events.” Examples of these events include the following items.

  • Marriage,
  • Divorce,
  • Birth of a child,
  • Loss of employment, and
  • Moving to a new state.

All of these events change your status, qualifying you for special enrollment periods that allow you to access the Healthcare Marketplace after open enrollment dates. Additional qualification limitations apply, including —

  • The state in which you live or to which you move,
  • Your household size, and
  • Evidence of new disability.

You should check with your state to learn how it interprets qualification rules for special enrollment periods. State requirements can also differ for application to Medicaid or CHIP, so investigate or get expert advice.

If you want some valuable advice, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. The professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can answer your questions about special enrollment periods, details of different health insurance coverage, give you quotes and advise you on how to protect yourself, your family and/or your business.

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Open Enrollment Deadline Looms: Make Certain You’re Covered

The Affordable Care Act has made healthcare available to anyone who needs it and has created penalties for those not enrolled in a healthcare policy.  Make certain that you’re not fined for failing to acquire the proper insurance in 2014; check your coverage before the March 31st open enrollment deadline.

After March 31st, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll in, or change, a policy.  You also risk paying a fine for failing to acquire insurance.  This is particularly important if you have a family; you’ll want to make certain that you are covered in the event of an emergency before the emergency occurs.  The last thing you need in a stressful situation is to find out that your coverage isn’t what you thought it would be.

For more information about individual health insurance or Covered California, contact a certified agent with Bernardini & Donovan Insurance. 

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Employer sponsored coverage, and Covered California premium subsidy, consumers be ware!

It has been brought to our attention through various sources that consumers are being misinformed and misled when it comes to qualifying for premium assistance through Covered California. We want to address this issue, as it has the potential for severe consequences.

Employees who are offered coverage through their employer cannot receive subsidy if their employer offers “affordable” coverage. How is “affordable” coverage defined under the Affordable Care Act? To determine if the coverage is “affordable” or not, we look at the employee ONLY monthly rate for health insurance coverage. The cost to add dependents, spouse, children, etc. DOES NOT play a role in this calculation. If the employee only pays less than 9.5% of the gross household income for health insurance, the coverage is deemed “affordable”.

A simple calculation would look like this. Let’s say the gross HOUSEHOLD income is $50,000. 9.5% of the gross family income would be $4750.  So, the EMPLOYEE ONLY would have to pay less than $396 per month ($4750 divided by 12 months equals $396 per month) for the coverage to be “affordable”. It is quite easy for an employer to provide “affordable” coverage. If the EMPLOYEE ONLY pays less than 9.5% of the gross household income on a monthly basis, ALL family members are disqualified from receiving subsidy through Covered California.

However, the children, based on the gross HOUSEHOLD income, may still qualify for Medicaid. Bottom line, if your employer offers you coverage, you need to check and see if it is affordable before looking to Covered California for subsidy. It is quite likely you will NOT be eligible for it.

Call us with questions at 909-792-5100.

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Welcome to the new Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Blog

Welcome to the new Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Blog.

We are here to help you find a quality Healthcare Plan that is affordable for you and your budget. We specialize in Family Health Insurance, Individual Health Insurance, Group Health, Short Term Health Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and Child Only Coverage. Now is the time to Maintain your good health by receiving the proper Healthcare without paying out of pocket. The cost of Healthcare is rising everyday, so save money now by applying for Health Insurance with West Coast Health Plans. For more information we invite you to visit our website: westcoasthealthplans.net.

 

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