June 19, 2014 By Julian Aston Leave a Comment

IN: A Guide To The Health Insurance Marketplace

Dear Valued Customer,

This issue of the “———————-” provides a guide to the health insurance marketplace.

Read the one page guide entitled “Get Covered: A one-page guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace”. See what income levels qualify for lower costs, and get plan information specifically for your area.

Health insurance can be quite complex, so please feel free to call us if you have any unanswered questions and our consultants will bring a better understanding.

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

Kind regards,

June 19, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

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/

© 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 admin Leave a Comment

What Income Levels Qualify For Lower Costs?

To learn if you qualify for lower costs on health coverage, find your estimated 2014 household income and household size on the chart below.

Important. Marketplace Open Enrollment ended March 31. You can still buy a Marketplace health plan only if you qualify for a special enrollment period. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time. Learn about special enrollment periods and other coverage options after Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for 2015 coverage starts November 15, 2014.

Choose the column for your household size. The column on the left shows income levels that qualify for lower costs on premiums and out-of-pocket costs for private health insurance, and for low-cost health care through Medicaid.

Quick Check Chart: Do I qualify to save on health insurance coverage?

See a full-screen version of this chart.

View an accessible version of this chart.

Higher incomes qualify for lower costs in Alaska and Hawaii. See Alaska and Hawaii information.

How to use this health care savings chart

Most people can use adjusted gross income to estimate income. When you fill out a Marketplace application a different figure, called modified adjusted gross income, is used. Learn more about estimating income.
Include in your household everyone you will claim as a dependent on your tax return and any children who live with you. Be sure to include their income when you estimate your household income. Learn more about who to include in your household.
If you’re married, you must file a joint tax return for 2014 in order to get lower costs on Marketplace coverage based on your income in 2014. Note: If you are a victim of domestic abuse, read the important note in the blue box at the bottom of this page.
As a next step, view health and dental insurance plans available in your area. Price quotes shown account for lower costs you may be eligible for based on your income and household size.
Find out if your state is expanding Medicaid coverage by visiting our Medicaid page and choosing your state from the dropdown menu near the bottom.
As the chart shows, if your state ISN’T expanding Medicaid, you have limited income, and you don’t qualify for Medicaid under your state’s current rules, you don’t qualify for either Medicaid or lower costs on private health insurance. Learn about how you can get low-cost health care at a Community Health Center near you.
If your income is too high to qualify for lower costs, there are 4 ways you can buy a health plan.

More on Marketplace costs and savings

Learn more about lower costs on monthly premiums based on your income.
Learn more about lower out-of-pocket costs based on your income.
Learn more about the premium tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “What income levels qualify for lower costs?”
http://www.Healthcare.gov. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-save-money-on-marketplace-coverage/

June 19, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Get Plan Information In Your Area

Go here to answer a few quick questions to see the premium estimates.

Important

This isn’t the application for Marketplace coverage. No information you enter here will carry over to your application.

The information displayed through this tool contains limited benefit and cost sharing information.

The plan information displayed doesn’t contain an insurance company’s exclusions and limitations for each plan. For each plan shown here, you can select ‘Details,’ then ‘Plan brochure’ for additional information.

More details are available when you view and compare plans after you apply for Marketplace coverage.

Source: HealthCare.gov, “Get plan information in your area” http://www.Healthcare.gov. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.healthcare.gov/find-premium-estimates/