You just got a health insurance cancellation letter. Now what?

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You’re aware of how important it is to have health insurance. So when you get a cancellation letter (sometimes called a “non-renewal” notice) from your insurance company, it’s understandable if you panic. However, that doesn’t need to be the case. Read on to see what you can do in this situation:

See if the letter was sent in error

It’s possible that your cancellation letter was sent by mistake. In general, under the Affordable Care Act, your insurer can’t cancel your policy, except under specific circumstances.

Know that you have time

It is rare indeed that an insurer sends a cancellation letter and revokes your coverage the next day. Typically, these letters will state exactly when your coverage ends (anywhere from 30 to 180 days from the date on the letter). That gives you enough time to choose new coverage so that you don’t have any gaps.

Check if a new plan is offered

If your plan is being cancelled because the insurer is no longer offering it to the public, that insurer may help you choose a new one. Often, cancellation letters are accompanied by a suggestion regarding the most comparable plan the insurer does offer. It’s up to you whether you want to join this plan or not.

In the event of receiving an insurance cancellation letter or non-renewal notice, don’t panic. Turn to an expert who can help you navigate the health insurance world and you’ll sleep a little easier. (303) 663-9991

Do you need a long or short-term health insurance plan?

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When you’re looking at health insurance plans, you may know WHAT you want, but do you know for how LONG? Maybe you or a spouse has a new job with health insurance, but that won’t begin for a few more months. Maybe you have a few bucks to pay for insurance in the near future, but aren’t so sure what your finances will look like after that. Either way, here are a few things to remember when deciding on an insurance plan.

Long-term plans

If you’re looking to get the most services possible out of your health insurance, and can afford to pay a little more, you probably want a long-term plan. The majority of these fall under the heading “major medical plans.” By law, they are required to meet all standards of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Short-term plans

On the other hand, if you want cheaper temporary or partial coverage outside the open enrollment period for health insurance, catastrophic and short-term plans are your best bet. However, it’s important to bear in mind that they do NOT have to meet the standards of the ACA.

If you’re still not sure which type of plan is best for you, contact a health insurance broker today!

All that glitters is not gold

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On the national healthcare exchange, Gold plans usually cost more, but are they worth it? See what Gold – and the other metal categories – have to offer.

Bronze

If your biggest concern is low monthly premiums, the Bronze category is your best bet. They’re perfect for protecting yourself in the event of a major illness or injury. However, their deductibles (the amount you pay before your insurance begins to pay) can be thousands of dollars a year. This means you’ll most likely pay the full cost of routine care on your own.

Silver

If you can afford a monthly premium above what Bronze has to offer, consider a Silver plan. They offer all the benefits of Bronze, and their deductibles are typically lower as well. This means you’ll pay less for routine care than you would under Bronze.

Gold

Gold plans have the highest premiums; however, they also have the lowest costs when you actually need care. Like Silver, their deductibles are low, and could be a good choice if you plan to use a lot of medical care within a given year.

If you’re having trouble choosing a metal category, talk to a health insurance broker today for sound advice.

How do you know if you’ve got a good health insurance broker?

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Having a good health insurance broker is important. After all, they’ll be helping you pick the plan you’re likely to have for a year or more. The decisions you make with them can have significant impact on your health, wallet, and quality of life. But how do you know if your broker has the right stuff?

They don’t charge you up front

Reputable health insurance brokers get paid on commission. So if yours is asking for money from you upfront, run! Not only are they unlikely to be a good broker, but they may not even be a broker at all!

They’re knowledgeable

Smart brokers are already very familiar with the health insurance plans being offered. Of course, plans can change from year-to-year. So it’s not uncommon for brokers to have to look up new information about it, or say they’ll get back to you with answers. However, if your broker has to look up every little detail about the plans you’re interested in, they may lack knowledge in that area – and others.

They communicate

It’s not just enough to know about the plans being offered. Your broker should be able to EXPLAIN them to you, including things like maximum out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, premiums, deductibles and more.

In the market for health insurance? Give us a call and we’ll get you squared away in no time at all! (303) 663-9991

Do you need a health insurance broker?

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Do you need health insurance coverage but you’re unable to get it through your employer? Don’t panic. There are other options for you, which are best discussed with a health insurance broker.

Knowledge

If you have trouble understanding health insurance terms like “premium” and “deductible,” you’re not alone. These terms are confusing to many people. Luckily, your broker can explain them clearly.

Experience

A licensed broker knows the ins and outs of the insurance plan that’s best for you. They can help you pick the right plan by explaining the benefits of each, including how they might affect you in any given year.

Fast support

Once you get a health insurance plan through a broker, they’re your designated go-to person if you need help. Any time you want assistance filing claims, or have questions about coverage, eligibility, payments and other issues, your broker is there. This is often a much faster way to get questions answered than spending hours on the phone, or trying to navigate a health insurance company’s website.

Talk to a broker today

Talking to a broker before purchasing health insurance coverage can give you peace of mind. You’ll know you got the right plan and you’ll fully understand its costs. Get in touch with a broker today.

What’s the difference between a health insurance agent versus a broker?

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When it comes to health insurance plans, the terms “agent” and “broker” are often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences. Take a look below to find out just a few of them.

Health insurance agent

Insurance agents work directly with health insurance companies. In fact, most of them have specific contracts with those companies. Essentially, the company is their boss, not you. They only sell that company’s plans, even if a plan from a different company would be a better fit for the customer.

Health insurance broker

Insurance brokers, on the other hand, are independent agents. They’re not loyal to any one insurer. They usually work with several companies who pay them based on how they sell plans to customers. A broker offers more options than an agent, because they’re knowledgeable about a wider variety of companies and plans.

Call a health insurance broker today

If you’re sure about which health insurance company you want, and you know an agent that sells its plans, feel free to work with that agent. However, if you have questions about different companies, plans and policies, a broker can probably help you better. You could end up with a cheaper plan, or one that offers more value for the same money. Contact a broker today to learn more.

Be well – with your health insurance’s wellness plan

42143344_MYou do your best to keep yourself healthy – and keep your health insurance costs as low as possible. Well, it turns out that your insurance company may want exactly the same thing! That’s why many of them offer “wellness programs,” which are often collections of incentives to help you feeling your best.

Health and fitness

Many insurances offer wellness plan benefits through the workplace, although individual plans can offer them directly to enrollees as well. These benefits often take the form of discounts on premiums and gym memberships. They may even include cash rewards.

Who benefits from wellness programs?

Both the enrollee and the insurance company can benefit from wellness programs. Typically, the company pays out less in coverage because the enrollee needs fewer services. The enrollee benefits because their health is so good, fewer services are necessary. Wellness programs can be especially helpful to those looking for diabetes management, smoking cessation support, weight-loss programs and preventative screenings.

Does your health insurance offer a wellness plan?

If you’re not sure whether or not your health insurance benefits include a wellness plan, talk to your insurance company. If you’re trying to decide between different insurance plans, contact a broker who can tell you about the possible wellness plans offered by each.

What questions will a health insurance broker ask you?

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There’s no reason to be intimidated when speaking to a health insurance broker for the first time. Although you may be confused about plans, options and even insurance terms, your broker is not. They’re there to help you understand all that and more. In the process, here are some of the things they’ll need to know from you.

Is this the first time you’re buying health insurance?

This can help the broker get a feeling for just how much of the terms and policies they may have to explain, and in what detail.

Are you presently on a health insurance plan?

If you already have health insurance and want to change plans, the broker will want to make sure the dates of the switch coincide perfectly, so that there is no loss of coverage.

Do you see doctors or specialists often?

This will give your broker a sense of how much coverage you need, and what type of plan offers that coverage at the best value

What your broker will ask you varies

Of course, the specific questions your broker will ask you varies with your particular situation. Call one today and set up a time to have a conversation about your unique health care plan, needs and preferences.

Meet the “health hack” generation

74772903 - youngsters sitting with tablet in the cafeWhether it be how they read their news or how they work, Millennials do things their own way. And the way they maintain their health is no exception.

According to a recent report, Millennials are increasingly finding new and innovative ways to support healthy lifestyles. They are the “health hack” generation, using technology to track their health and wellness. They know the importance of preventative care and spend nearly a quarter of their disposable income on health and wellness. They’re also more inclined to splurge on healthier food and clothing products.

According to the report, 79% of millennials say they believe the digital world has made it easier to keep track of and learn about healthy living and health care. Furthermore, a full three-quarters feel it’s important for brands to embrace wellness as an integral part of their core mission.

When it comes to health care, Millennials also are twice as likely to challenge the cost of their medical care than the general population. In fact, nearly one-fifth of those ages 25 to 34 said they’ve asked for a discount on medical care, compared with just 8 percent of the general population!

Just like every other age group, though, Millennials are struggling with the rising cost of health care. Are you looking for affordable health care coverage? We can help find a plan that fits you and your lifestyle.

Be prepared for a catastrophe

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No one wants to think about catastrophes in health care: the broken leg, the heart attack or the cancer diagnosis. But the truth is, these are risks we all live with each day. Even if they never happen to you, it’s important to have health insurance coverage in the unlikely event that they do.

Health insurance for a catastrophe

Catastrophic and short-term health insurance plans are tailor-made for scenarios like the ones listed above. One of the great things about these plans is that if you’re looking for coverage on the Marketplace, these types of plans can be obtained outside the open enrollment period. They are also often cheaper than other types of plans because they represent the bare minimum of coverage that’s considered advisable.

A few caveats

However, there are a few important things to keep in mind if you’re considering purchasing ONLY catastrophic or short-term coverage. These plans do not have to meet the requirements of the ACA (Affordable Care Act). Among other limitations, they don’t have to cover preventive care or pre-existing conditions. They also don’t qualify for government subsidies.

Preparation is the best medicine

No matter what health care insurance you choose, you need to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Talk to your insurance broker today about which plan is right for you.