Everything You Need to Know About Changing Plans During ObamaCare’s Open Enrollment Peroid Each Year The only time you can change health plans under ObamaCare is during open enrollment or a special enrollment period. Verify info or change plans by Dec 15 to ensure you have the right plan and cost assistance starting January 1st. Although you can’t change plans… Read More
A new CDC report shows the largest decrease in the uninsured rate was recorded among young adults age 19-25, from 19.8 percent in 2013 to 14.9 percent in first quarter of 2014. Was it the the expansion of Medicaid, woodworking effects, under 26 young adults staying on their parents plan, subsidies that 82% of uninsured… Read More
ObamaCare affects premium rates, that much is for sure, but whether or not they are rising or falling seems to depend upon your news source. Sure, that was meant as a back-handed dig on those super useful biased news outlets, but there is actually some good truth in the idea that rate fluctuations are a… Read More
We Dispel This Propaganda Video With the Facts Just had this silly(?) ObamaCare propaganda video posted in the comments section. Let’s set the facts straight on the tastefully named “Obamacare culling the heard video”… not because it is super popular, but because it encapsulates the what-if negative conspiracy theory view on the law that continues… Read More
How Medicare Works Medicare, or Original Medicare, is a federal program offered to seniors when they reach 65, people with certain disabilities, and those with ESRD. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Supplemental Medicare options are also offered to “fill the gaps” in Medicare coverage. Supplemental Medicare… Read More
What is Medigap Insurance? Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance, “covers the gap” between Original Medicare and your medical costs. Supplemental Medigap plans are sold by private companies and make sense for seniors who have costs that aren’t covered under traditional Medicare Part A and B. If Original Medicare isn’t covering your medical needs, you’ll want… Read More
What is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Medicare Part D, or Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, covers the gap between your prescription drug needs and Original Medicare. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) includes basic drug coverage. However, many Medicare beneficiaries have prescription drug needs outside of what parts A and B covers. Medicare Part D is… Read More
What is Medicare Advantage? Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is a health plan that offers Medicare Part A, B, and typically D benefits through a private company. Medicare Advantage offers everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B offers but with better benefits and coverage options. Typically however this comes at a higher upfront… Read More
How “Washington Healthplanfinder”, The Official Washington Website for Health Insurance, Works The Washington Health Insurance Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, is the official Washington State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Washington Healthplanfinder to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans and enroll in a plan that best suits you, your family… Read More
How “DC Health Link”, The Official Washington, D.C. Website for Health Insurance, Works The Washington, D.C. Health Insurance Exchange, DC Health Link, is the official Washington, D.C. State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use DC Health Link to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan… Read More
How “Vermont Health Connect”, The Official Vermont Website for Health Insurance, Works The Vermont Health Insurance Exchange, Vermont Health Connect, is the official Vermont State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Vermont Health Connect to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More
How the Texas Health Benefits Exchange Marketplace Works The Texas health insurance exchange will be federally run by HHS after Rick Perry decided not to run a state-based Marketplace in Texas. Although the State will not run it’s own exchange Texans can use HealthCare.gov to shop for affordable health insurance. Texas has the highest percentage of… Read More
Everything You Need To Know About Short Term Health Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act Short term health insurance is meant to provide temporary health coverage. Short term plans don’t have to offer all of ObamaCare’s benefits and protections. Pros and Cons of Short Term Health Insurance The pros and cons of short term health… Read More
The Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace Employers can use the SHOP Marketplace (Small Business Health Options Program) to get lower costs on group plans and claim tax credits. In 2015, employers with less than 50 full-time equivalent workers (FTE) can use the SHOP. In 2016, the SHOP opens for businesses with 100 or less FTE. FACT:… Read More
How “HealthSource RI”, The Official Rhode Island Website for Health Insurance, Works The Rhode Island Health Insurance Exchange, HealthSource RI, is the official Rhode Island State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use HealthSource RI to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More
What is a Qualified Health Plan? Under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) is a health plan certified by the marketplace to meet new benefit and cost sharing standards. Qualified Health Plans include all the metal plans sold on the marketplace and count as minimum essential coverage. Let’s take a look… Read More
How the Official Oregon Website for Health Insurance Works The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange, Cover Oregon, was replaced by Healthcare.Oregon.gov and HealthCare.gov. See those sites for coverage and cost assistance. Today you can use HealthCare.gov to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits you, your family or your… Read More
How “New York State of Health”, The Official New York Website for Health Insurance, Works The New York Health Insurance Exchange, New York State of Health, is the official New York State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use New York State of Health to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change… Read More
How “BeWellNM”, The Official New Mexico Website for Health Insurance, Works The New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange, BeWellNM, is the official New Mexico State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use BeWellNM to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits you, your family,… Read More
How “the Nevada Health Link”, The Official Nevada Website for Health Insurance, Works The Nevada Health Insurance Exchange, the Nevada Health Link, is the official Nevada State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use the Nevada Health Link to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan… Read More
How “MNsure”, The Official Minnesota Website for Health Insurance, Works The Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange, MNsure, is the official Minnesota State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use MNsure to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits you, your family, or your small… Read More
How “the Health Connector”, The Official Massachusetts Website for Health Insurance, Works The Massachusetts Health Insurance Exchange, the Health Connector, is the official Massachusetts State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use the Health Connector to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More
How “the Maryland Health Connection”, The Official Maryland Website for Health Insurance, Works The Maryland Health Insurance Exchange, the Maryland Health Connection, is the official Maryland State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use the Maryland Health Connection to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan… Read More
How “Kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection”, The Official Kentucky Website for Health Insurance, Works The Kentucky Health Insurance Exchange, Kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection, is the official Kentucky State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan… Read More
How “Your Health Idaho”, The Official Idaho Website for Health Insurance, Works The Idaho Health Insurance Exchange, Your Health Idaho, is the official Idaho State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Your Health Idaho to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More