Many Americans in the individual health insurance market — those who purchase their own health insurance vs. getting it through their employer — are getting their first glimpse into their 2014 premiums. And many are facing sticker shock! Why are some people’s prices increasing in the 2014 individual market? The price increases are a matter of math and statistics. No More Denial for Pre-Existing Conditions A cornerstone of the Affordable
Effective Dates for 2014 Health Insurance
There has been a lot of talk about enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as “Obamacare”). It may not be clear, however, how the effective dates work for 2014 coverage. Open enrollment for health insurance plans effective in 2014 runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. This means that during this time period, any eligible consumer can purchase a health insurance policy that
Why is My Health Insurance Policy Being Canceled and What Can I Do?
It’s all over the news this week. Millions of individual health insurance policies are being canceled. Here at Virginia Medical Plans, we have known this was coming for months. In fact, back in June we wrote about it right here. Since then, we have assisted literally hundreds of clients with their decision about coverage in 2014. Here are some of the questions we are hearing, along with the answers: Why
In-network vs. Out-of-network Care
What is a network? A network (also called provider network or preferred providers) is a group of medical providers (hospitals, doctors, specialists, pharmacies, etc.) that have contracted with an insurance company to provide medical care at an agreed-upon rate. What is in-network vs. out-of-network care? In-network care is medical care obtained from a provider within your plan’s network. Out-of-network care is medical care obtained from providers outside of your plan’s
Extended Deadline for Health Coverage – What Does it Mean?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA — otherwise known as “Obamacare”) has been front-and-center in the news this month, first for its role in the recent record-long, 16-day shutdown of the US government, and now for the technical glitches that have plagued the online federal health insurance exchange since it opened on October 1. This week the Obama administration announced a 6-week extension of the deadline for signing up for health
Why Should I Buy Health Insurance if I am Young and Healthy?
Why should the young and healthy have health insurance? The glitches and delays experienced with the October 1 roll-out of the online health care exchanges have left many wondering if young, healthy Americans will give up and simply not enroll in a health insurance plan by January 1, 2014. However, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — aka Obamacare — makes having health insurance mandatory for most Americans beginning on January
Using the Federal Health Insurance Exchange
Have you tried to sign up for insurance using the Federal Health Insurance Exchange? Since the exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened on October 1, the news is filled with reports of delays, glitches, and problems with the online system designed to allow Americans to shop for health insurance. In the two weeks + since the opening of the online exchanges, many Americans have all but given
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Early Renewal Option
If you are currently covered by an individual Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy (vs. one you get through your employer) we have some critical information for you. Anthem policyholders either already have received or will receive soon a letter from Anthem explaining the options for complying with the new health care law — the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”). Here is a summary: If you have
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield Option to Re-Enroll
If you are currently covered by an individual CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy (vs. one you get through your employer) that you purchased or after March 23, 2010, we have some critical — and time sensitive* — information for you. (Update October 31, 2013 – deadline to re-enroll has been extended to November 22, 2013) CareFirst policyholders either already have received or will receive soon a letter from
Early Renewal for Health Insurance Policies
Have you heard the term early renewal when it comes to health insurance? If you currently have individual health insurance (vs. getting it through your employer), you may be wondering if renewing early would allow you to put off switching to a new “Obamacare” plan, and if it would, would it be the right thing to do? [Remember, “Obamacare” is just a shorthand name for the new health care law
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