In a previous post, we outlined the recommendations made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week to encourage health insurance carriers to take steps toward easing policyholders’ transition to new 2014 ACA-compliant health plans. We want to provide clarification on a couple of the points, and dissuade anyone from believing their insurance carrier will simply cover any out-of-network care or off-formulary drugs throughout the month of
HHS Announces Changes to Help Americans have Coverage by January 1
In acknowledgement of the difficulties Americans have faced enrolling in health insurance coverage over the past few months, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has asked insurance companies to make some changes to the way they enroll people in January 1 coverage. Of the changes, only one is mandatory: Health Insurance companies must provide coverage effective January 1, 2014 for any person from whom they receive a premium
Another View From the Health Insurance Trenches
It has been about a month since we wrote about our experience “in the trenches” as we help our clients manage the transition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Many of you are wondering how things are going. Record High Volume at Virginia Medical Plans We, like most brokers across the country, continue to experience a record high volume of calls and emails. As you can imagine, we are doing
National Association of Health Underwriters Helps Brokers Manage Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”)
The impact of the troubled online federal health insurance marketplace — healthcare.gov — has been felt by many Americans trying to manage the transition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as “Obamacare”. And now we have a numeric representation of the impact — last week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released enrollment numbers since the opening of the health insurance marketplace on October 1. The
Will I Be OK Under Obamacare?
If you have somehow missed all recent headlines about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare, a quick peek at our Daily News page should convince you that news is coming in fast and furious. With less than a week until Open Enrollment begins, our phone has been ringing off its hook (as well as our email box filling up) with questions, the gist of which are: Will
October 1 — What to Expect
We have been writing for several months urging you to be ready to act on October 1 — the date Open Enrollment begins for health insurance plans effective in 2014. Everywhere you turn, you’re probably hearing that date in conjunction with Obamacare — the Affordable Care Act. Well, guess what? Have you ever stood in line at a popular store on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving)? Ever lined up
How Much Will Health Insurance Cost Me in 2014?
With the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) front-and-center in the news these days, people naturally want to know how much it will cost them when health insurance becomes mandatory on January 1, 2014. The health insurance exchanges (or “marketplaces”) are slated to open on October 1, 2013 for plans with an effective date of January 1, 2014. Until exact figures are released, the Kaiser Family Foundation has a great tool
Understanding Health Insurance Premiums
States are beginning to release premium rates for policies that will be sold on their health insurance exchanges beginning on October 1. The news can be confusing, however, and subject to interpretation — and “spin”. On a single day in July, for example, the Washington Post ran this headline: “Maryland Issues Insurance Rates That Are Among the Lowest in U.S.” On the same day, the Baltimore Sun ran this: “Premiums
Who Should I Choose to Help Me Buy Health Insurance — A Broker or a Navigator?
We think the choice is clear. Always turn to a Broker over a Navigator when buying individual health insurance — on or off the Exchange. What is the difference between a Broker and a Navigator? Navigators are short-term contract workers hired — with or without any experience with health insurance — for the purpose of explaining the existence of the Exchange to people shopping for insurance on the Exchange. They
Affordable Care Act – Test Your Knowledge
There are less than 70 days until October 1, 2013 — the date open enrollment begins and Americans can start purchasing health insurance with an effective date of January 1, 2014. How well do you understand the new health reform law? Take our 10-question quiz to find out. Click here or on the owl to test your knowledge! Let us know how you score, and give our office a call
