individual health insurance | Bernardini & Donovan

August 9, 2013September 8, 2016

How Buying Insurance in an Exchange is Going to Work for Individuals

The first day for open enrollment into the California insurance exchange is drawing near, offering access to individual health insurance like never before. Individuals are going to be able to shop for a plan that suits their personal needs as well as being able to compare and contrast the available options. Covered California, the state exchange, offers the option to get information via a website, through the mail or by phone. All of these options are going to contain information that helps you, the consumer, decide on which plan is right for you.

The website will have a variety of features that allow the user to pick and choose their plan. Available information includes premiums, what benefits are offered for each plan, provider networks and availability. Other information demonstrates how much the plan spends in order to cover medical claims in relation to administrative charges. That way, the consumer can see how much money is going to the health care as opposed to office work. An online calculator is also available for figuring out the actual cost of insurance, including any premium subsidy. You, the consumer, then have the option of buying insurance in an exchange that makes the most sense for you.

For more information about health insurance in the greater Redlands area, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today.

August 5, 2013September 8, 2016

What is an Individual Health Insurance Exchange

Now that the end of the year is approaching, California and other states are making sure they comply with provisions of the Affordable Care Act. One of the main provisions is providing Health Insurance Exchanges for individuals. What does this mean?

It means that people can purchase individual health insurance plans to cover their medical expenses. The exchanges allow individuals to compare pricing and services, making informed decisions on what will work best for them according to the four levels of coverage offered. These plans will be available for purchase in a variety of ways: mail, web, by phone or in-person. Additionally, the exchanges will have information you need in relation to premium costs and possible subsidies. It is important to understand the intricacies of selecting a provider and how the exchanges work.

Starting January 2014, everyone is required under the Affordable Care Act to carry a health insurance policy. For more information on the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Exchanges, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

June 26, 2013September 8, 2016

Covered California Health Insurance Exchange: Applying for Coverage

Starting October 1, 2013, Covered California will become the primary marketplace for individual health insurance coverage. The market will feature tools which will allow insurance consumers to compare policies that offer affordability to low-income individuals and families. Services include free health insurance or significantly reduced health insurance for qualifying individuals and families.

For those who wish to apply for coverage, Covered California can be initiated by phone, online, or through a licensed agent. Applicants should expect to talk with a Covered California call center representative who will screen the applicant for qualification. If qualified, the call is transferred to a county representative for completion.

Income verification if through the IRS and the exchange will use the applicants last filed IRS return to verify income as an estimation of income. Applicants can prove income by showing documentation of major changes in income levels for the current year.

Covered California is part of the health insurance exchange for California residents and helps to ensure that all Californians are covered with health insurance.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services provides insurance policies to the people of San Bernardino County, the City of Redlands, CA and the State of California. If you have questions about insurance or the Covered California program, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

June 21, 2013September 8, 2016

Covered California Health Insurance Exchange: What Kind of Coverage Will you be Getting?

If you want or need to get insured, Covered California has options for health insurance. The exchange has been created to comply with the health insurance changes that are taking effect in 2014. Under the exchange, people will get individual health insurance coverage, there will be 13 commercial health plans, and more than 80% of practicing physicians and acute care hospitals will be participating. The plans provided cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and more. They also avoid many of the gimmicks of same plans that were seen in the past.

The out-of-pocket cost is capped at a maximum of $6,350, which will reduce the risk of people going bankrupt because of large medical bills. Without the proper insurance, this possibility is still very real. The list of current insurers is only for individual health insurance coverage, but options will also be available for small businesses to work with the health insurance exchange in order to cover their employees in the near future.

For more information on the health insurance coverage provided by Covered California in the Redlands, CA area and throughout CA, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today.

June 17, 2013September 8, 2016

Covered California: The New Individual Health Insurance Marketplace

The healthcare system in the United States is undergoing changes. Covered California is the new individual health insurance marketplace, which impacts individuals and families purchasing their own insurance. This new marketplace is designed to increase the quality and affordability of health coverage.

In 2014, major changes to health insurance regulations take effect. Health insurers can no longer deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. New federal subsidies will also be available to help individuals and families purchase qualified health insurance plans. All health plans, including those in the Covered California marketplace, will be required to meet a standard set of essential requirements.

These changes will help an estimated 4.7 million Californians improve the quality of their health insurance. There are four tiers of qualified health plans in the Covered California marketplace: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Each tier varies in terms of the level of coverage and monthly premiums. Catastrophic coverage is also available to individuals under 30 years old.

Changes in health insurance are coming in 2014. For more information about the Covered California health insurance exchange, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in the Redlands, CA area.

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