bernardini & donovan insurance services

November 18, 2013September 8, 2016

Purchasing Insurance Through Individual Insurance Storefronts

Insurance storefronts are similar to most other retail businesses only the companies sell insurance instead of an actual product. Individuals meet with licensed insurance agents who can assess their situation and determine the type of policy and coverage that would be most beneficial for their circumstances.

A reputable agent can tell you what policies you qualify for and what you need to do to get signed up for coverage. They will explain all fees, deductibles and expenses associated with your policy. In some cases, a storefront agency also works through exchanges. The agent can help you get signed up for the insurance plan you are eligible for and make sure you have all of the coverage for your particular needs.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services is a full service insurance agency located in Redlands, CA. Its staff of reputable agents can answer all of your questions concerning health insurance and what each plan covers. Insurance policies cover a wide range of treatment plans and procedures. By going through certified agents, like those at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance, they are available to help you get the coverage you need at an affordable price.

November 13, 2013September 8, 2016

Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agency

There are many challenges to purchasing the right health insurance coverage. The more you know about how the industry works, the more capable you’ll be in making smart decisions concerning your health care needs.

When purchasing health insurance, you have a choice of working with either an independent agency or a captive agency. An independent agency will offer you policy options from a variety of different insurers, giving you greater choices for evaluation. A captive agency works with only one insurance carrier. This limits the number and variety of health plans from which you can choose.

Working with an independent agent offers you greater flexibility in the company you choose. In the event you are dissatisfied with a certain insurer, your agent can suggest alternative companies within their jurisdiction, enabling you to retain his services to acquire the better coverage you seek. Working with a variety of top insurance carriers provides independent agents with greater knowledge and experience in their field. It also enables them to establish a more extensive network of insurance contacts to expand their services to you.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent insurance agency. For more advice on choosing California health care coverage, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, their agents are ready to help you find the right plan for your health insurance needs.

November 8, 2013September 8, 2016

If I Buy My Own Insurance, Do I Need to Work with an Exchange?

As the Affordable Care Act takes effect, more people will be looking into purchasing their policies from an exchange. This does not, however, limit your choices. You are free to buy your own individual health insurance on the private market if you so choose.

Getting coverage on the private market has its advantages and disadvantages. If you already have coverage, you can simply extend your grandfathered policy to meet the new health insurance requirements. Grandfathered policies may not offer all the benefits of newer Obamacare plans, but premium costs are lower and they do meet many people’s current health care needs. Not all insurance companies have maintained grandfathered plans, so you may be forced to purchase Obamacare plans if you wish to remain insured.

You can also buy a policy off the exchange if you’re getting health coverage for the first time. You will need to research plans and prices to ensure you get suitable coverage at an affordable price. One disadvantage of buying a policy on the private market is that you cannot qualify for government subsidies. If your income makes you eligible for these benefits, an exchange-based policy can help you save on health care costs.

If you have questions about the exchange, the certified agents at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services are here to help guide you through the exchange to make sure you get the coverage you need.

November 4, 2013September 8, 2016

Buying Insurance Through a Broker or Agent

With 2014 almost upon us, more people will be searching for health insurance coverage. You can purchase coverage through an insurance agent or broker or the state exchanges. The following explores some of the differences in purchasing coverage through these two mediums.

Buying your coverage through an exchange gives you access to federal subsidies if your income falls beneath 400% of the official poverty line. However, if you don’t qualify for these subsidies, it may be more convenient for you to purchase your coverage directly from an agent or broker.

Many insurers are offering coverage comparable to Obamacare standards to include mental health and maternity benefits at competitive costs. In addition, individuals who already have insurance coverage can continue with their grandfathered policies and avoid the extra expense of an Obamacare policy.

Using an exchange, you can easily compare insurance features and prices online. However, the enrollment process is more time consuming and complex, due to the amount of paperwork required. In contrast, buying a policy from an agent or broker is quick and easy, with no government intervention.

By carefully studying your options, you can choose the medium best suited to you for your health insurance coverage. For more insight into health plans, coverage and prices in Redlands, California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

October 31, 2013September 8, 2016

Purchasing Coverage: What Are Your Options Outside the Exchange?

The Affordable Care Act mandates that all Americans must obtain some type of health insurance before January 1st, 2014. For those who do not wish to use a Health Marketplace or Exchange option, policies can still be purchased from private insurance brokers and agents as long as the policies meet the guidelines put in place by Obamacare.

The Affordable Care Act stipulates that all policies sold by agencies outside the exchange must meet or exceed the requirements of exchange policies at an affordable cost to the consumer. It also requires insurance companies to offer policies that fall within two higher level categories such as “gold and silver” or “elite and premier”. These types of policies may be more affordable in the long run for individuals who rarely seek medical attention.

Individuals who want to explore their health care options outside of the state exchange, can call Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. A licensed insurance agent will address your concerns and answer any questions you may have about the Affordable Care Act and private insurance.

October 23, 2013September 8, 2016

Individual Health Insurance: How will Covered California make it easier for me to compare different health plans?

Covered California is a health insurance marketplace, which will make it easier individuals to compare an array of qualified health plans from private insurance companies. The marketplace will allow you to shop for individual health insurance through Covered California exchanges online, over the phone or in person to select the perfect insurance option for your budget and health needs.

How will Covered California allow me to compare individual health insurance plans?

There will be four levels of coverage offered:

Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum

With the increase in ranking, the medical expenses covered in each category go up, with platinum being the highest ranked, making it compare plans in the same category or across categories.

For expenses happening at the time of receiving health care services – doctor visits or emergency room trips, for example, the health plans covering more medical expenses tend to have lower costs when receiving care but a higher monthly payment.

You can choose to pay a lower monthly cost and pay more when you need medical care, or a higher monthly cost so that when medical care is needed, you pay less. You are able to choose the level of coverage that best suits your personal budget and needs.

Finding the perfect individual health care insurance plan can be confusing. For more information about how individual insurance through Covered California can benefit you and your family, contact the Redlands insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

October 18, 2013September 8, 2016

Covered California SHOP Exchange

Starting in January, 2014, the Covered America SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) will help California small businesses provide affordable small group health insurance for their employees through the program’s small business health insurance marketplace. The SHOP exchange will make it easy to offer employees a large selection of health plans generally only available to larger employers.

Small-business owners may enroll in the Covered California plans beginning on October 1, when the exchange is launched, for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014. Depending on which of the 19 pricing regions they reside in, employers and employees will be able to choose between 3 or 4 carriers. SHOP plan choices will have good provider networks, a standardized set of benefits and a choice of insurers at competitive prices.

While rates will vary based on the region, the premiums for Covered California SHOP insurance coverage is fairly comparable to 2013 small-group market rates, which can possibly save small businesses money. There are four levels of health insurance plans offered under Covered California — Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Small-business owners will be able to shop online through the exchange to compare available coverage options for their employees.

Employers will be able to choose the best fitting coverage level, then choose the anchor plan that suits their budget. For more information about choosing the best level and anchor plan for your small business, contact the Redlands, California insurance experts, Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services , today.

October 14, 2013September 8, 2016

How Covered California Will Support your Small Business

Like many small business owners, you probably have questions about Covered California and how it can provide insurance coverage for you and your employees. Covered California is a marketplace developed specifically for small businesses with up to 50 qualified employees.

The marketplace, also called the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP exchanges) will make it easier to compare a variety of competing high-quality, qualified health plans from private insurance companies, including small group health insurance plans similar to those offered to large businesses.

Covered California will support your small business by:

Providing Control. You will be able to choose if or when to participate in Covered California, and to determine your own level of contribution toward your employees’ coverage.
Expanding Employee Options. You will be able to offer your employees their Qualified Health Plan choice from several insurance companies.
Simplifying Options. Covered California will offer the ability to compare health plan benefits, quality and premiums side-by-side.
Making Insurance Affordable. Covered California spreads insurers’ administrative costs, sharing them between more employers. Additionally, if you have less than 25 employees, you may qualify for small business tax credits.

Offering your employees high-quality health insurance, keeping them healthier, happier and more productive is a competitive advantage in the labor market. For more information about how Covered California can benefit your small business, contact the Redlands insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

October 9, 2013September 8, 2016

Individual Health Insurance: What kind of health insurance can I buy through Covered California?

Covered California will be offering Qualified Health Plans of the same high quality as insurance health plans being offered on the private market now. Covered California’s Qualified Health Plans will be guaranteed comply with the Affordable Care Act’s consumer protections and provide essential levels of coverage.

The individual health insurance plans offered by Covered California will be the same as insurance plans you can find anywhere – even if you don’t qualify for financial assistance. All of the health insurance companies have to provide the same products at a specified cost no matter if they are offered through the open market or Covered California.

In addition, Covered California will be offering “catastrophic coverage,” a coverage that protects an individual from financial disaster in the event that they suffer from a serious and costly medical emergency. This type of coverage is not meant for routine medical expenses such as doctor visits, prescription medications or visits to the emergency room. It will cover expensive medical costs incurred above the amount you would be able to handle financially. Catastrophic coverage will be available to who individuals up to the age of 30, or to those who have certification that they do not have affordable coverage or are experiencing a financial hardship.

For more information about Covered California and their Qualified Health Plans, contact the Redlands insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

October 4, 2013September 8, 2016

Small Group: Covered California Opened for Enrollment Oct. 1st

Due to the signing of the Affordable Care Act, most adults will be required to purchase public or private insurance by the beginning of the new year or face a fine. Under California’s new Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), Covered California opened for small group enrollment on Oct. 1, 2013, for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

California businesses with less than 50 employees can benefit from better choices, online tools and competitively priced, small group health insurance plans similar to those previously only available to large group employers.

While small businesses are not required to enroll in the Covered California’s SHOP, and are not penalized for not participating, the exchanges will allow you to more easily provide health insurance to your employees. In addition, some businesses with less than 25 employees may be able to take advantage of Federal tax credits only available through SHOP.

Small business owners can begin enrolling in the SHOP plans on October 1, 2013, when the health exchange opens. The plans are competitively priced, and will allow you to offer your employees the ability to choose from a variety of plans, while possibly qualifying for federal tax credits.

Are you ready for the new federal health care laws going into effect in 2014? If you have questions about how to provide affordable small group coverage for your employees, or are confused about how an exchange works, contact the Redlands, California insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today.

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