Open Enrollment is a set time each year when anyone can buy a new health insurance plan for any reason. You cannot be denied coverage during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for 2017 health coverage is November 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017. 2017 Open Enrollment Depending on your current situation, here is what you need to know about open enrollment. If you are… Uninsured: You should purchase 2017 coverage during
Buying 2016 Health Insurance Outside of Open Enrollment
Health Insurance open enrollment for 2016 closed on January 31, 2016. Outside of Open Enrollment, you must have a qualifying event in order to purchase Affordable Care Act-compliant coverage which is effective in 2016. Examples of Qualifying Events for Health Insurance Change in marital status (marriage/divorce/death of a spouse) Relocation to a new state Change in family size (birth/adoption/death of a child) Loss of minimum essential health coverage (change in
2016 Open Enrollment – What You Need to Know
Open Enrollment is a set time period each year during which anyone can buy a new health insurance plan for any reason. You cannot be denied coverage during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for 2016 health coverage is November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016. 2016 Open Enrollment is Here If you are uninsured, Open Enrollment is your chance to get coverage for 2016 and avoid a penalty tax. If you
Preparing for 2016 Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is a set time period each year during which anyone can buy a new health insurance plan for any reason. If you enroll during Open Enrollment, you cannot be denied coverage. If you are currently uninsured, this is your chance to get coverage for 2016 and avoid a penalty tax for being uninsured. If you are currently covered under an individual/family health plan (vs. having coverage through your
Maryland CareFirst Premiums Set to Rise in 2016
If you live in Maryland and are covered by a CareFirst health insurance plan, chances are you’re going to see an increase in your monthly premiums in 2016. Effective January 1, CareFirst premiums in Maryland will be on average 26% higher than rates in 2015. What Can You Do? At Virginia Medical Plans, our number one goal is to educate you about your options and help you choose the one
Buying Health Insurance in Virginia, Maryland, or DC
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made it mandatory for most Americans to have health insurance. In addition to making health insurance mandatory, the new law also makes health insurance guaranteed issue. This means you cannot be denied coverage for any reason — even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. If you live in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia, Virginia Medical Plans can help you get the
Sticker Shock over 2014 Health Insurance
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
