Human Resources for insurance agencies: Partnering with ThinkHR to minimize risk management for Bernardini & Donovan health insurance employees and offer HR expertise

Human Resources for insurance

In efforts to maximize our health insurance services, the Bernardini & Donovan team is excited to collaborate with ThinkHR, the industry-leading, end-to-end people risk management service that helps develop employees and ensure compliance

We are pleased to introduce to you the new Bernardini & Donovan human resources client service, ThinkHR! If you are involved with employee issues, this is a value-added benefit to save you time and money. ThinkHR was created to help businesses manage risk before, during, and after it is exposed and has since dealt with over 3.7 million issues and counting! More than 300,000 businesses have benefited from ThinkHR’s end-to-end people risk management solution (PRM), and the B&D team is excited to be part of that growing number.

The reality is that people risk is inevitable. However, just because it’s inevitable doesn’t mean nothing can be done to minimize it. As such, ThinkHR recognizes the significant risks centered around business employees and has thus introduced a comprehensive, end-to-end people risk management solution. With a combination of the best live advisors, innovative technology, and comprehensive and instructional content, ThinkHR is revolutionizing the world of human resources for businesses such as Bernadini & Donovan.

With a goal to help organizations address all potential people risks and help its partners strengthen their client relationships involving guidance on preparing for and managing those risks, we believe ThinkHR will benefit the Bernardini & Donovan team professionally and in other ways. The goal is to help us win more business through a comprehensive, all-inclusive, user-friendly PRM solution.

Understanding PRM: How having a human resources partner will benefit B&D as a health insurance company in the future

People Risk Management fills a critical need for businesses of all sizes by helping them build and maintain a strong culture, drive employee engagement and performance, and mitigate the numerous people-centric compliance risks that exist in every organization.

Bernardini & Donovan will now be able to ensure an effective PRM solution by integrating the 3 primary critical components into our day-to-day relations: content; technology; live advisors. We now have access to regulatory updates to handbook policies and interactive and engaging training along with guidance on preparing for and managing those risks; a handbook builder for easy creation and maintenance, a learning management system with powerful training content, and key deployment technologies to create a great user experience; live expertise and guidance that HR and business leaders need when more is needed to solve a difficult employee situation than content and technology.

The scope of HR topics handled by the ThinkHR live team, and more

HR professionals use ThinkHR tools to be more effective in their roles, while all employers benefitting from the crisis averted with the end-to-end PRM solution. We also have access to ThinkHR Live, where a team of HR experts is standing by to answer employee questions and provide advice. This phone-based support service is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. central time each business day so employees can utilize this tool at their convenience.

The B&D team will also have access to ThinkHR Comply, an online resource center for all of workforce questions and issues. Additionally, we’ll have access to ThinkHR Learn, an online training platform to develop employees and help ensure compliance!

With so many components making up the PRM solution, we’re excited to partner with ThinkHR to ensure our future HR needs are addressed and handled accordingly. For more information on the ThinkHR PRM solution, visit their website at https://www.thinkhr.com/

September 22, 2020September 18, 2020

B&D: Expanding Our Health Insurance Services to Colorado

Health insurance in colorado “Without the many years of loyal support from our thousands of clients in California, this opportunity to expand into the Colorado Health Insurance market wouldn’t be possible.”—Adrian Donovan, B&D Co-owner

Bernardini & Donovan Health Insurance Services is excited to announce that we will be expanding our services from California into Colorado with a second B&D office! This second office will be located in Douglas County in a town called Parker, an outlying district of the city of Denver.

“The California and Colorado health insurance markets are very similar,” says B&D Co-owner, Michael Bernardini.

We know this expanding our health insurance services into Colorado will naturally pose several questions from our clients, so the B&D team has compiled a brief list of potential questions and answers for your convenience!

What can our B&D Colorado clients expect in our new office? You can expect to receive the same great service on the same products from group and business health insurance plans to individual family health insurance plans to Medicare coverage—except now we are providing all of these services to the people of Colorado.

Why expand the B&D business into Colorado? With any business, company, or service, the goal is always to increase client retention, customer satisfaction, and services process. By moving to Colorado, the Bernardini team believes we will be able to focus on the growth of Bernardini & Donovan, including the new opportunities that come with serving a new market and reaching new clientele. Plus, Colorado is beautiful!

How was this expansion made possible? “This is a huge opportunity for our company and I’m excited to be taking it,” Adrian Donovan says. “Michael and I have consistently looked at ways to expand our services.” So, with careful thought and consideration, we have decided that exploring the Colorado health insurance market is the right move to make! B&D co-owner Adrian Donovan will be moving to Colorado; he will be heading up to the Colorado office at the beginning of August and will be opening operations there. He will work out of both offices so that he will be able to continue to serve his clients in California while growing the new office in Colorado.

Who do we contact for details? All contact details for Bernardini & Donovan team members will remain the same!

“It has been an exciting challenge to learn the differences between California and Colorado and to acquire a license to become a health insurance agent in Colorado.”—Michael Bernardini

Bernardini & Donovan is forever grateful to our clients who have made this growth possible during these uncertain times as we navigate through COVID-19! If you know businesses, individuals, or families seeking healthcare coverage in the state of Colorado, the B&D team welcomes all! Parker has easy access to the Denver metropolitan area and is known for its unique Western-Victorian downtown and its hometown feel and, now, high-quality B&D Colorado health insurance services! But the unique downtown and hometown environments are not the only reasons Bernardini & Donovan have expanded into Colorado.

“The B&D team will always remain thankful to those who support us. Now, we hope to earn an opportunity to help the friends and family in Colorado, too.”—Bernardini & Donovan

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020

B&D: Expanding Our Health Insurance Services to Colorado

Health and medical insurance “Without the many years of loyal support from our thousands of clients in California, this opportunity to expand into the Colorado Health Insurance market wouldn’t be possible.”—Adrian Donovan, B&D Co-owner

“The California and Colorado health insurance markets are very similar,” says B&D Co-owner, Michael Bernardini.

What can our B&D Colorado clients expect in our new office?

You can expect to receive the same great service on the same products from group and business health insurance plans to individual family health insurance plans to Medicare coverage—except now we are providing all of these services to the people of Colorado.

Why expand the B&D business into Colorado?

With any business, company, or service, the goal is always to increase client retention, customer satisfaction, and services process. By moving to Colorado, the Bernardini team believes we will be able to focus on the growth of Bernardini & Donovan, including the new opportunities that come with serving a new market and reaching new clientele. Plus, Colorado is beautiful!

How was this expansion made possible?

“This is a huge opportunity for our company and I’m excited to be taking it,” Adrian Donovan says. “Michael and I have consistently looked at ways to expand our services.” So, with careful thought and consideration, we have decided that exploring the Colorado health insurance market is the right move to make! B&D co-owner Adrian Donovan will be moving to Colorado; he will be heading up to the Colorado office at the beginning of August and will be opening operations there. He will work out of both offices so that he will be able to continue to serve his clients in California while growing the new office in Colorado.

Who do we contact for details?

All contact details for Bernardini & Donovan team members will remain the same!

“It has been an exciting challenge to learn the differences between California and Colorado and to acquire a license to become a health insurance agent in Colorado.”—Michael Bernardini

“The B&D team will always remain thankful to those who support us. Now, we hope to earn an opportunity to help the friends and family in Colorado, too.”—Bernardini & Donovan

May 6, 2020July 29, 2020

Do You Need Your Own Health Insurance After 26?

Many have wondered what to do about health insurance after they turn 26. For many young adults, you might also wonder: Can you stay on your parent’s health insurance after 26?

With the spread of COVID-19, health care is more critical now more than ever. One shouldn’t skip health insurance to save money simply because they think that they’re young and healthy…that mindset could be misleading and ultimately dangerous. The fact of the matter is: Sooner or later, everyone needs health insurance. So, what options are available when it comes to finding health insurance for 26-year-olds?

If you’re 26 and need health insurance coverage, we at Bernardini & Donovan can help. We offer health and medical insurance services in the Inland Empire and are happy to assist individuals who have questions about health insurance for 26-year-olds.

Being properly informed about health insurance might not be the first thing on the minds of young adults. And it could be easy to overlook those conversations if someone is on their parents’ health insurance plan. But, once adulting kicks in, graduating, moving out, getting a job, and turning 26–it’s important to consider what health insurance options exist for you.

Can You Stay on Your Parents Health Insurance After 26

If you’re under 26, you may be able to get covered on a parent’s health insurance plan. This applies to you even if you are at school, not living at home, eligible for an employer’s plan, or not financially dependent on your parents. It even applies to you if you are married. However, after you turn 26, things change.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the ACA, opened the door for many people to get health insurance who previously didn’t have access. A provision of the law allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. As a result, millions of young adults became eligible to have health insurance on their parents’ plans who wouldn’t have qualified otherwise.

This, however, this means you need to start considering options for health insurance before your 26th birthday because your coverage on your parent’s plan ends, and eventually you do need your own coverage.

If your 26th birthday is right around the corner, you might have a lot of questions to consider, especially if you’ve never had to purchase your own insurance and if you’re struggling financially.

The marketplace. Bernardini & Donovan is a Certified Agent of the Health Insurance Marketplace. We can help you independently compare health insurance plans based on what’s important to you. We are a storefront for the Marketplace and that means we offer capabilities beyond ordinary agents. Our experts will explore if you can get lower costs on your monthly premium and if you qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs. For those who are on a budget, you’ll also find out if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through different sources.

Applying for coverage. After you select the plan that is right for you, our team will guide you through the application process. You’ll need your income information, ID, proof of citizenship or lawful presence, social security information, and ZIP code.

Regardless of when your parents’ plan ends your coverage, if you’re 26 and need health insurance, you’ll have a 120-day special enrollment window in which to buy a new health insurance policy on the marketplace for ACA plans. During this time, which begins 60 days before you turn 26 and ends 60 days after, you can purchase a new medical plan. If you are buying an individual plan that is not on the ACA marketplace, you have 30 days after you turn 26.

While talking about health insurance could be intimidating, there are also practical resources available for assistance. If you’re in the Riverside area or surrounding areas, the Bernardini & Donovan team can offer health insurance guidance. Receiving assistance on these matters might benefit you especially during the recent pandemic where there are heightened concerns surrounding people’s health.

What to do About Health Insurance After 26

Now that it’s established whether or not you can stay on your parent’s health insurance plan after turning 26, what are your options? When you’re ready to purchase your own health insurance, you have several options. You can enroll in a health insurance plan offered by your school or you can speak to someone in Human Resources about enrolling in a healthcare plan provided by your employer.

Student health insurance: If you’re attending a college or university, you may be able to enroll in that school’s student health insurance plan. These plans tend to be relatively inexpensive and are a good option if your parents don’t have health insurance, you don’t want to stay enrolled under their plan, you’re 26 and need health insurance or other reasons.

You can find out if your school offers health insurance options by poking around your school’s website or calling the financial aid office.

Employer health plan: If your employer offers coverage, it’s a good idea to look at what they offer.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to wait until you’re 26 to enroll in one of the health insurance plans offered by your employer. Depending on where you live and what you can afford, the coverage your employer offers may suit your situation better than your parents’ insurance plan.

Short-term health plans: Health plans that last less than a year can help you bridge the gap until you enroll in a regular health plan. Just keep in mind that short-term plans won’t provide the same comprehensive coverage as a traditional insurance plan and are best only in case of a major medical event.

Nonetheless, this option might be the most feasible for those who don’t know what to do about personal health insurance, aren’t sure about their finances, but still need coverage.

26 and Need Health Insurance? You’re Covered

At Bernardini & Donovan, our job is to simplify your health insurance needs. With our health insurance services, you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you have health insurance.

Now more than ever before, the issue of healthcare has been thrust into our everyday lives. For a lot of people, the more you hear about the issue of healthcare, the more complicated it appears to be.

With more than 30 years of experience in the health insurance field, the Bernardini & Donovan team is proud to have established long-lasting and trusted relationships with all of the major carriers throughout California and Colorado.

If you’re 26 and need health insurance coverage, or you’re no longer on your parent’s coverage and have questions on what to do, Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services has the answers to any questions you may have.

October 16, 2019October 10, 2019

The Latest Small-Group Health Plan News

For your Redlands-based small business, of one to one hundred employees, finding the right health plan can be a challenge. Amid so many options, fluctuating circumstances, and things to consider, the choice is often overwhelming. However, with informed guidance and attentive counsel, you and your employees will benefit from the security of a quality health insurance plan. This is where we at Bernardini and Donovan come in. We are here to provide you with expert advice as you make this critical decision for your valued team members. And before you finalize your choices, take note of these health insurance updates.

Latest small group health insurance news:

In the fourth quarter of this year, those who are renewing their policies will notice a rate increase. This is caused by an added component of the Affordable Care Act called the Health Insurance Tax (HIT). Though it was anticipated to be repealed, it is now driving up costs. These price increases vary in severity ranging from three to four percent to 15 percent. As we anticipate this upcoming tax, there are some opportunities to offset these costs with other insurers. Though this option will not exempt you of this tax, it will alleviate it, so it is not so harsh.
Rates seem to fluctuate with every quarter. That’s why in light of these increases, we can look forward to a rumored rate decrease in the first quarter of next year. Take note though that group plans are dependent upon their renewal date. This is the point at which your rate will be fixed for the next 12 months. And so, these changes will not affect your policy if it’s locked into what is called your rate guarantee.
There is a new coverage option, specifically helpful for the small employer who is concerned that they will not have enough participants. The Portfolio Plan does not require any number of participants, making this one of our most competitive options and an excellent choice for small business owners.

As you consider these updates and search for your ideal plan, keep in mind the value of your insurance broker’s customer service. While the price of a health coverage plan will remain the same across the board, the quality of your broker’s service is what really matters. So, look for a provider that will be there when you need them, who will help you care for your employees, and make sure to keep you compliant. These are the most valuable services a broker can provide. And these are what we at Bernardini and Donovan are proud to offer our clients right here in Redlands. If you are in search of a health coverage plan in any capacity, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are prepared to offer our expertise as we assist you in this complex decision-making process.

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019

5 Small Business Health Insurance Pitfalls

Redlands small businesses face several challenges when it comes to employee health insurance. However, this must be made available for the benefit of each employee and the success of your company. Offering health insurance makes your employees more likely to stick around, keeps them happy and healthy, and can even save you money. So, while it may seem like a daunting endeavor, we advise that no matter the size of your company, you consider offering health insurance.

There are a few mistakes when implementing a health care plan for your employees of which to take note. Make sure that you are aware of their threat and of the ways these pitfalls can be avoided. And rest assured that, even when issues arise, there are often simple solutions.

A misunderstanding of eligibility requirements.
There are a few things that might keep an individual from partaking in their employer’s health care insurance plan. That’s because a group insurance plan does not automatically prompt eligibility for every employee. Typically, employees are required to work a minimum of 30 hours a week and must fulfill a distinguished waiting period to gain eligibility. This all depends on your state, your insurance provider, and your particular policy. Make sure that upon implementing a new plan, your employees are aware of these requirements.
Miscommunication about the waiting period. The waiting period indicates the number of consecutive days an employee must work to gain eligibility for the health insurance plan. This number should be decided based on the time you believe is required to discern an employee’s loyalty to the company. And you must communicate this exact amount clearly to your new employees to avoid miscommunication and confusion.
Paperwork mishaps. Paperwork is something about which we can all commiserate. But despite its world-renowned nuisance, this is the paperwork you cannot overlook. Incomplete or untimely paperwork will cause several complications in your health insurance plan. So make sure that it is submitted with complete accuracy and on time. And be assured that if an employee is terminated, added, or needs to make changes to their coverage, their corresponding paperwork is updated correctly.
Failing to reconcile carrier bills. If an employee is wrongly included or missing from a bill, you face the issue of someone either not receiving coverage or being overcharged. And while these bills are typically accurate, you ought to review them regularly for assurance.
Neglecting to take action when something goes wrong. The Explanation of Benefits or EOB lists the date of service, cost, negotiated discount and deductible accounting and amount for which the patient is responsible. This must coincide with the patient’s medical bills. So if these are mismatched, or demonstrate an issue, be sure to take action immediately. There is often an easy solution to this problem, but it is best solved with urgency.

While these issues may pose significant setbacks to your business, choosing a local Redlands broker like Bernardini and Donovan will help alleviate their severity and prevalence. We are prepared to assist your choice in plans and to provide exceptional customer services as it is administered.

Health insurance is a vital aspect of one’s well being. It assures that upon unforeseen medical circumstances, an individual will be financially covered. This confidence, as one faces inevitable unknowns, is crucial to living well and happily. So, as a small business owner, be sure to provide insurance to your employees for their peace of mind and the benefit of your company. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us today for a simplified and seamless experience.

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017

Single Payer Healthcare Cons

Part 2

If you have not read our previous blog, please see part 1 to read more about the logistics of single payer healthcare. As stated previously, in an ideal world everyone would love to see every person receive the health care that they need at no cost to them. But to play this idea out in the real world, there are some very real concerns that we have. Some of the cons to single payer healthcare are:

Contributes to Drug Abuse –

Because health care is available to all, it also means that there is more access to prescription drugs which is the fastest growing avenue for substance abuse. There are also many that will abuse the system because they do not see the value. They will go to the doctor any time that they feel a slight itch or discomfort. This wastes doctor’s time and makes more severe cases need to wait even longer for care.

Less Benefit –

One of the ways to pay for this type of healthcare is to impose new taxes. Taxes like these can come out of your income and be bases upon the level of what you are bringing home. For those that make more money that means that they are paying more but will receive no extra benefits.

Less innovation –

Because everyone is getting paid the same rate there are less financial incentives to create, research and develop new treatments or new technologies. This can come at a big cost to us as this lowers the quality of care, not only for Americans but for the world we are are forerunners in many innovative practices.

Health Insurance still needed –

For families that have unique health issuescertain care that they will need will not be covered under this system. That means that they will still be in need of health insurance to cover the costs of the additional services that they require but are not included under a single payer health system.

These are just a handful of issues that can come up with single payer healthcare. As California continues to look at SB 562 we will need to answer these concerns otherwise we will end up with a very broken system.

June 6, 2017June 15, 2017

Single Payer Healthcare Cons

Part 1

While many people would love to see universal health care become a reality, but there are Single Payer Healthcare Cons. It would mean that thousands of people would receive their health care free of charge, but many issues come up when you start to look seriously at universal and single payer health care. Where it may be easy to talk about healthcare as a human right, it becomes a very different issue when you realize that enabling one person to receive a resource means that another person is obligated to provide the same. Universal healthcare is not a new problem, and it has been debated and discussed for years. Here are a few reasons that this concept has continued to be so hotly debated:

Cost –

As much as we like to hear the word “free” attached to health care, the cost of health care doesn’t suddenly change with a new system. There is no such thing as a free lunch. There will be additional taxes, and no one has given a firm number of how the rest of the cost will be covered. Proponents say that a single payer system will save us money, but no one has come up with a firm dollar for dollar plan that shows this. It is all theoretical and up in the air.

Increased size of government –

For this system to work the government has to oversee all the funds and make sure that it is going to the appropriate places. This can slow down the process considerably. It also puts all the doctors, nurses and health care providers as government workers.

Wait Times –

In countries that have moved to single payer health care, there have been long waits to receive care. If you need to get a medical procedure, some governments suggest that the wait time will be around four and a half months. Where many people have said, they have waited up to eight months before they could receive the treatment they needed.

For more cons of Single Payer Healthcare see part 2 of this blog.

June 1, 2017June 15, 2017

Single Payer Healthcare

Single Payer Healthcare is a system in which all medical treatments and health care coverage are paid for by a single organization. In most cases, this single organization is a federal government. A single payer healthcare system does not, however, speak to who receives this treatment. Universal healthcare is a system in which every individual receives health care coverage. These two systems go hand in hand as Universal healthcare is not possible without a single payer health care system in place. Under a single payer healthcare, most services rendered come from private facilities rather than government-led facilities.

What is Single Payer Healthcare?

The idea behind single-payer health care is that every citizen would receive all medical services such as hospital care, doctor visits, preventative care, mental health services, dental, vision, prescription drug, reproductive health care and medical supply costs without the expense of these services coming directly from their pocket. That they would be paid for by a single payer or for lack of better words, the federal government. The idea is that patients would have a free choice who their doctor would be as well as doctors having autonomy of their patient’s care.

Of course, in an ideal world, this seems like an excellent program. In fact, you’ll find many people who can only speak of how great this program would be. They claim that this type of system costs less because there is no competition in this not for profit structure and an enormous amount of money is not wasted on administrative expenses. There is minimal paperwork for health care workers to do allowing them to focus more on the patient. And this system cuts out insurance companies which allow people to deal directly with their doctors instead of a third party to help pay for the services rendered. The also say that similar to the VA; we would see a decrease in prescription drug costs because the government would be a single buyer allowing them to purchase in bulk, getting a reduced price. Many would disagree with these statements as well. To find out more about their stance, see our next blog post.

January 5, 2017September 15, 2016

What to consider prior to buying health insurance for you and your family

As the time comes for open enrollment or to renew your health insurance, here are some helpful hints to look at before your purchase a plan.

Look before you renew
As the landscape for health insurance continues to change it is important that you make sure that your fully check out your options before opting to renew. Not only do the options available in your plan change from year to year but your personal circumstances change. You may have moved, found a new job, or had a child and all of these can change what you need from your provider. Also, if your plan is being replaced make sure you fully look over what it is being replaced with so you are not surprised later down the road and find that what you need is not covered.

Doctors and prescriptions, oh my…
You will want to make sure that your preferred doctor accepts that coverage before you enroll. And going to a doctor outside of your coverage can cost you substantially more that going in your plan. Also, you will want to know what your prescription medication is going to cost you. Most companies will assign medications to a different level or tier so that between different companies the medication you need may be covered but it may be on a different tier and therefore would cost you much more.

Consult an insurance broker
When the Affordable Care Act come into effect its purpose was to let people comparison shop relatively easily for different health care options. However, the health care market is wide and varied and you can very easily not see a special savings or find out that what you need is not covered when it is too late. Health Insurance brokers are working hard to stay ahead of the changes in the law, know all the different nuances of plans being offered and want to help you find your best fit. Contact us at Bernardini & Donovan and let us help you look beyond the bare essentials to finding a package that fits you and your family perfectly.

Category: Health Insurance News

Human Resources for insurance agencies: Partnering with ThinkHR to minimize risk management for Bernardini & Donovan health insurance employees and offer HR expertise

Understanding PRM: How having a human resources partner will benefit B&D as a health insurance company in the future

The scope of HR topics handled by the ThinkHR live team, and more

B&D: Expanding Our Health Insurance Services to Colorado

B&D: Expanding Our Health Insurance Services to Colorado

What can our B&D Colorado clients expect in our new office?

Why expand the B&D business into Colorado?

How was this expansion made possible?

Who do we contact for details?

Do You Need Your Own Health Insurance After 26?

Can You Stay on Your Parents Health Insurance After 26

What to do About Health Insurance After 26

26 and Need Health Insurance? You’re Covered

Latest small group health insurance news:

5 Small Business Health Insurance Pitfalls

Single Payer Healthcare Cons