9 Simple Facts about Health Insurance

Fact #1

Open Enrollment for 2015 individual health insurance plans begins November 15, 2014.

Fact #2:

You may apply for coverage outside the dates of Open Enrollment if you have a qualifying event.

Fact #3:

All individual and small group health insurance plans effective on or after January 1, 2014 must include coverage for 10 essential health benefits — things like preventive care, well visits to the doctor, hospitalization, etc.  Click here for the full list.

Fact #4:

Health insurance plans, even those purchased through the federal or state exchanges (marketplace plans), are run by private health insurance carriers.

Fact #5:

If you need help paying for your coverage, you may be eligible for a premium subsidy, depending on your income.  To collect a subsidy you must purchase your plan through your state’s exchange.  Virginia residents use the federal health insurance exchange, healthcare.gov.  Maryland and DC have their own exchanges.

Fact #6:

Starting on January 1, 2014, you cannot be denied health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.  This is known as guaranteed issue.

Fact #7:

Starting on January 1, 2014, you cannot be charged a higher premium because of your gender; men and women pay the same premiums.

Fact #8:

If you purchased a marketplace plan and are collecting a subsidy for your coverage, you must report any changes in income or family status that might have an impact on your eligibility for the subsidy.  Click here to learn more.

Fact #9:

Although your insurance carrier will offer automatic re-enrollment in your current plan (or one similar to it) when your coverage expires, you should carefully review your options before selecting a new plan.  You can compare your options — including premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, etc.–  using our convenient Instant Quote feature:

Virginia Medical Plans is a one-stop shop for your health insurance!

Call us at 1-800-867-0800 or email us at jkatz@vamedicalplans.com for assistance in finding the right coverage for you.

Beat the March 31 Deadline for Health Insurance

Unless you have a qualifying event, March 31 will be your last chance to purchase 2014 health insurance coverage.

You have until midnight on March 31, 2014* to beat the deadline for enrolling in 2014 health insurance coverage.

*A qualifying event will allow you to enroll after March 31

Applying for Coverage Without a Subsidy

If you are not eligible for a subsidy (click here to find out), you can enroll quickly and easily by filing an application directly with the carrier of your choice:

• CareFirst BC/BS
• Anthem BC/BS
• Kaiser Permanente
• Humana
• UnitedHealth Care
• Innovation Health/Aetna

Getting a Health Insurance Subsidy

If you are eligible for a subsidy, you must to apply for coverage through your state’s health insurance exchange in order to collect the subsidy.

So that we may assist you through the life of your policy, please follow these instructions:

Virginia Residents – Visit Federal Exchange

Go to www.healthcare.gov.

On the page that asks:   “Tell us if you’re getting help from one of these people”.
Select “Agent or Broker”; fill in all four of these fields:

a) First name: Jonathan
b) Last name: Katz
c) FFM User ID: JONKATZAGENT
d) NPN Number: 1585616

Maryland Residents – Visit the Maryland Exchange

Go to www.marylandhealthconnection.gov.

Enter our Consumer Assistance Reference ID#:   Jonathan Katz’s ID# = 9000116389.   Click here for instructions.

DC Residents – Visit the DC Exchange

Go to www.dchealthlink.com.

Click on Apply Now and create an account.
Once the account is created please click on “select the trained expert assisting you” in the upper right hand corner.
Enter our reference number  – 5376842
Click search, then next.

Act Now to Avoid a Penalty

If you have not enrolled in a health insurance plan by midnight on March 31, 2014, you will be assessed a penalty tax when you file your 2014 tax return.  So don’t delay!

Please be patient as we manage a high volume of calls and emails.

Another Health Insurance Extension?

This week’s big news surrounding the Affordable Care Act was the Obama administration’s announcement of a partial extension to the March 31 deadline for enrolling in 2014 health insurance.

Another extension?  Sort of.  Before you believe you now have longer to enroll, remember it is a partial extension.  And in fact, the administration is careful to call it a special enrollment period rather than an extension.

Who Can Enroll in 2014 Health Insurance After the March 31 Deadline?

The special enrollment period applies only to people who started an application through the federal health insurance exchange prior to the March 31 deadline, but were unable to complete the application process before midnight on that date.  It applies to applications started on paper, by phone, or online at healthcare.gov.

By checking a blue box on healthcare.gov, anyone who has already “gotten in line” by March 31 will be able to request a little more time — until mid-April — to complete the process. The extra time is being granted to accommodate those applications delayed by technical glitches and/or a complex family situation.

IMPORTANT:   If you are not purchasing health insurance through the federal exchange, there is no extension and the deadline remains March 31.

Virginia Medical Plans Can Help

If you have not yet gotten health insurance — through the exchange or off the exchange — we urge you to act quickly.  Do not delay!

Contact us via phone (1-800-867-0800) or email (jkatz@vamedicalplans.com), or use the button to get started right away.

Please note if you are purchasing health insurance through the exchange, be sure to enter our information (below) so that we can assist you now and for the life of your policy.  There is no charge to you for using our services!

• First name: Jonathan
• Last name: Katz
• FFM User ID: JONKATZAGENT
• NPN Number: 1585616

Thank you for your patience as we manage a high volume of calls and emails.