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
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
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
Should Young Adults Stay on Their Parents’ Health Insurance?
One of the earliest-implemented provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the requirement that parents be allowed to keep their adult children on their health insurance until age 26. As a result, many families did just that. Even when the adult child was offered coverage through his or her employer, it often made sense for many reasons for the “child” to stay on the parents’ plan. With the next
What Does the DOMA Ruling Mean for Health Insurance Reform?
Last month the US Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in its ruling in United States v. Windsor. The Court’s landmark decision to overturn DOMA extends federal benefits to legally married, same-sex couples. What does this mean in terms of health insurance reform and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Here are some key points: Eligibility for Federal Health Insurance Subsidies
Three Months Until the Start of Open Enrollment for Health Insurance
Today is July 1. For us at Virginia Medical Plans, the date signifies the start of a three month countdown to open enrollment for health insurance and the October 1, 2013 opening of the health insurance exchanges. Between now and then, we will all continue to see a lot of publicity about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as both the government and the insurance industry launch widespread campaigns to educate
Great Overview of Affordable Care Act
Much has been written about the Affordable Care Act in advance of the opening of the exchanges scheduled for October 1, 2013. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal provides a terrific overview of what it will be like to buy health insurance after the exchanges open for business on October 1, 2013. Here are some key points from the article, the full text of which you can read
Policies Sold in the Health Care Exchanges May Offer Fewer Providers
Mandatory health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for most Americans starting on January 1, 2014 will cause a flood into the market of previously-uninsured individuals and those needing to get new coverage. Coupled with the fact that insurance plans will be required to cover a comprehensive list of essential health benefits, insurance companies and government officials are trying to find ways to hold down medical costs. Renegotiating