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
Buying Health Insurance on the Maryland Exchange
The state of Maryland is running its own health insurance exchange — officially called Maryland Health Connection. Maryland residents who are eligible for a subsidy MUST buy their insurance on the MD exchange in order to get the subsidy. Other Maryland residents may wish to shop on the exchange as well. Jonathan Katz is an authorized broker with Maryland Health Connection, and therefore, is available to assist all of our
Browsing the Health Insurance Exchange
Since Open Enrollment for health insurance began this past Tuesday, all major news outlets have been reporting on the glitches and capacity overload that have prevented users from getting into the sites (see yesterday’s health care news). When things do settle down and you are actually able to get in, what will you find? If the consumer experience is anything like what brokers went through to register with the exchanges
Jon Katz Interviewed on National Public Radio
While busily responding to calls and emails on the second day of Open Enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, our own Jon Katz was surprised to get a call from National Public Radio (NPR) Senior Reporter, Dan Gorenstein. Seems Mr. Gorenstein wanted to get Jon’s take on the insurance broker’s role in health care reform. The interview ran on NPR’s show, Marketplace, on Wednesday, October 2. Click on the microphone
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