How to Apply for 2015 Coverage on healthcare.gov

Open Enrollment for 2015 Health Insurance:  November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015.

If you live in Virginia and will be eligible for a health insurance subsidy in 2015, you must purchase your coverage on the federal health insurance marketplace — healthcare.gov — in order to receive the subsidy.

NEW!   This year we are pleased to offer expedited enrollment for Virginia residents on the exchange.  You get the same coverage you could get by visiting healthcare.gov, but enrollment takes just a fraction of the time.  And, it costs you nothing extra!  Visit www.enrollvirginianow.com or use the green APPLY NOW button on the upper right of this page.

Not sure if you will be eligible? Use this chart to find out. You may qualify for a subsidy if, based on the number of people in your household, your yearly household income is between:

# People in Your Household
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Yearly Income	$11,670 -$46,680	$15,730 – $62,920	$19,790 -$79,160	$23,850 – $95,400	$27,910 – $111,640	$31,970 – $127,880

(Note: if you are not subsidy-eligible, you should apply directly with the carrier. Click here for instant quotes from several carriers.)

Getting Assistance from us AT NO CHARGE

If you may be eligible for a subsidy, and prefer to visit healthcare.gov instead of using our expedited enrollment tool, we can still assist you with your application for coverage — at no charge to you!   Simply select us as your broker and we can help you choose the right plan, AND assist with administrative and claims issues for as long as you own your policy — for FREE.

If you do decide to visit healthcare.gov, be sure you have typed “.gov” as we have heard about another site using the same name, but with the “.com” extension.  The “.com” site will NOT take you to the federal marketplace.

Here is our broker information to enter into the appropriate screen on healthcare.gov or on a paper application should you choose to apply that way:

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

Here is a shot of the screen on healthcare.gov in which you should enter our data (click on the image to view it larger):

Browsing for Coverage

We are expecting consumers to be able to browse healthcare.gov for available 2015 health insurance plans beginning around November 1, 2014.

Get a Head Start — Set up an Account Online

If you wish to apply online, your first step will be to sign up for an account on the online federal marketplace — healthcare.gov.

Although you cannot apply for new coverage until the first day of Open Enrollment — November 15, 2014 — you can set up your account on healthcare.gov at any time.  It’s a good idea to get a head start by taking this step before the rush!

On the site’s home screen, click on the green “Get Ready Now” button.

On the next screen, click on the link that says “create an account and apply right now” and follow the instructions.   Remember you won’t be able to apply until Nov 15, so be sure once your account is set up to make a note of your user name and password so you can go back in and apply during Open Enrollment.

Here are a few tips to help you be prepared:

Gather Family and Household Information

For each person to be covered, you will need the following information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Home and/or mailing address
• Document numbers for anybody with eligible immigration status

In addition, assemble the following:

• Income information — recent W-2 statement or pay stubs
• Your best estimate of your household income for 2015
• Current health insurance policy numbers, if applicable
• A completed “Employer Coverage Tool” for each job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible for.  Click here to access the form from healthcare.gov.
• Names of current doctors and medications, to help you identify the right coverage for your needs

Study Up on Health Insurance Terms

So that you understand your options, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with health insurance plans and terminology.  Here are links to helpful info on our site:

• Click here for an explanation of types of health insurance.
• Click here for a glossary of terms.
• Click here to read about Metal Levels for plans under the Affordable Care Act
• Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Selecting the Best Coverage

Once you are able to browse available plans, we urge you to look closely at your options — paying particular attention to deductibles, co-pays, provider networks, etc.  And — of course — premiums. Then give us a call at 1-800-867-0800, or email us at jkatz@vamedicalplans.com so we can help you decide which is the best for you.

Once we have identified the best plan for you, you will sign back in to healthcare.gov and complete your application.

Contact Virginia Medical Plans for Help

We are available to assist you at any step of the way, so let us know if we can be of service. Please also understand that we are experiencing an extraordinarily high volume of calls and emails.

Thank you for your patience!

Reach us by phone: 1-800-867-0800, or email: jkatz@vamedicalplans.com.

For your convenience, here is our Broker Information once again. Remember there is NO CHARGE TO YOU for using our services:

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

Exchange Application Checklist

If you need help paying for health insurance, you may be able to get assistance by way of a subsidy.  Click here to find out if you may qualify.

If you are eligible, you must apply for and enroll in health insurance through the Exchange (also known as the Marketplace) in order to collect the subsidy.

Virginia residents will use the Federal Health Insurance Exchange — online at healthcare.gov.

Here is a checklist of information you should have available before you begin your application:

1. Social Security numbers for everyone in your household (document numbers for legal immigrants).
2. Employer and Income information for everyone in your household who needs health insurance.  For example, pay stubs or W-2 statements.
3. Policy Numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household.
4. A completed Employer Coverage Tool for every job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible for — even if you are eligible but don’t take the coverage, you must complete the form.
5. Our Agent Information:

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

Remember, the last day to enroll in 2014 coverage is March 31, 2014.

Enroll by March 15 for coverage effective April 1, 2014.

Enroll between March 16 and March 31 for coverage effective May 1, 2014.

Click here for detailed, step-by-step instructions on using healthcare.gov.

Contact our office today to get started.  We can help you with plans either on or off of the exchange.

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

How to Apply for Insurance on Healthcare.gov

⇒NOTE: This post is about applying for 2014 coverage.  For information about applying for 2015 coverage, click here.

If you live in Virginia and are eligible for a health insurance subsidy, you must purchase your coverage on the federal health insurance marketplace in order to receive the subsidy.

Not sure if you are eligible?  Use this chart to find out.  You may qualify for a subsidy if, based on the number of people in your household, your yearly household income is between:

# People in Your Household
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Yearly Income	$11,490 -$45,960	$15,510 – $62,040	$19,530 -$78,120	$23,550 – $94,200	$27,570 – $110,280	$31,590 – $126,360

(Note: if you are not subsidy-eligible, you should apply directly with the carrier.  Click for specific instructions for enrolling with:  Anthem BC/BS, Innovation Health/Aetna, CareFirst BC/BS, Humana.)

Getting Assistance from us AT NO CHARGE

If you may be eligible for a subsidy, we can assist you with your application for coverage if you select us as your broker — at no charge to you!  This means we can help you choose the right plan now, and assist with administrative and claims issues for as long as you own your policy — for FREE.  Here is our broker information that should be entered into the appropriate screen (below) or on a paper application should you choose to apply that way:

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

Applying for Coverage Online

If applying online, your first step will be to sign up for an account on the online federal marketplace — healthcare.gov.   Below are detailed instructions, along with some screen shots, to streamline your application process.  (Note, all images were captured on January 16, 2014.)

This is the home page of healthcare.gov:

You can browse available plans by clicking on the “SEE PLANS” button.

When you are ready to apply, click on the orange “APPLY NOW” button.

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On the next screen, specify your state, and then choose APPLY ONLINE.

When you click APPLY NOW, you can either CREATE a Marketplace Account, or LOG IN if you already have an account.  Here is the log in screen:

(If you have not created an account, then click on the blue “CREATE ACCOUNT” button.)  If you already have an account, enter your Username and Password and click the green “LOG IN” box.  If you have forgotten your Username or Password, you can get assistance by clicking on the appropriate link.

Once you have logged in successfully, the next screen will ask you what you would like to do.  If this is your first time applying, you will see this screen.  (Note that if you had already started an application(s) at another time, you will also have the option here to return to it.):

Click on “Apply for new coverage”.

You will be taken through several screens on which you will (1) verify your state of residence and (2) for whom you are purchasing health insurance.  You must (3) agree to the Privacy Policy, and then (4) confirm your contact information.

(1)	(2)
(3)	(4)

Getting Help from Agent or Broker

The next screen is where you will be asked if you are getting help applying for coverage.  This is where you should fill in our broker information so that we can be of assistance with plan selection, administrative issues, claims issues etc.  Remember, there is no charge to you for getting help from a broker.

Select “Agent or Broker” and then enter our broker information:

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

Getting Help Paying for Coverage — Subsidy

From there, you will be asked if you want to find out if you can get help paying for coverage:

You can double-check your subsidy eligibility by selecting the “I’m not sure” button, or simply choose “Yes” to move to the next step.  Be prepared to answer income questions for all members of your household.

Entering Family and Household Information

In subsequent screens you will enter information for each person who will be covered on the policy.  You should be prepared with the following for each person:

• name
• date of birth
• social security number
• document numbers for anybody with eligible immigration status

Verifying Eligibility to Purchase Health Insurance

After entering data on who needs coverage, you will be taken through several more screens on which you will answer additional questions to verify your eligibility to purchase insurance.

Note, you may stop your session on healthcare.gov at any time and return later by signing back in with your Username and Password.   But make sure you have entered all of your Family and Household information, or you may need to re-enter it the next time you sign in.  Family and Household data must be completed all in one sitting!

Selecting the Best Coverage

Once your eligibility has been verified, you can see the various plans from which you can choose.   Look closely at the available options — paying particular attention to deductibles, co-pays, provider networks, etc.  And — of course — premiums.  Then give us a call at 800-867-0800, or email us at jkatz@vamedicalplans.com so we can help you decide which is the best for you.

Once we have identified the best plan for you, you can sign back in to healthcare.gov to complete your application.

Confirming Coverage with Carrier

After submitting your application, you will need to await confirmation (and a bill) from the carrier to confirm your coverage.  We recommend you contact your carrier to make sure they have received your information.  However, since the data is transmitted to the carriers at the end of each day, you should wait at least 1-2 days before trying to call.  The wait times to reach the carriers by phone have been very long, so you may want to set up your speakerphone and have something else to do while you are on hold!

Contact us for Help!

We are available to assist you at any step of the way, so let us know if we can be of service.  Please also understand that we are experiencing an extraordinarily high volume of calls and emails and that we must endure the same wait times with the carriers as you!

Thank you for your patience!  Reach us by phone:  800-867-0800, or email: jkatz@vamedicalplans.com.

For your convenience, here is our Broker Information once again.  Remember there is NO CHARGE TO YOU for using our services:

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