Jeanine Kinzie Insurance Blog | Insurance Issues | Help with Affordable Care Act

Can You Afford To Retire?

3/27/2014

Now, more than ever, retirement savings should be a priority.

Please consider making retirement savings a priority. I know money doesn't grow on trees now, but it certainly won't in your retirement years either. With all the changes in healthcare reform, it is now recommended that retiring couples have $206,000 saved for their future medical expenses alone!

Check out this info-graphic: "Can You Afford to Retire?"

Contact us for a brochure on an investment product which offers a lifetime guaranteed income. In addition, we also offer products that guarantee your investment won't lose money, while providing an opportunity for upside growth. After the stock market fall in 2008, most baby-boomers want products like these to feel secure investing again.

Can You Afford To Retire?

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

What are Essential Health Benefits?

3/26/2014

essential health care benefits

There are some health care benefits you can count on getting no matter the plan you choose in 2014. The Affordable Care Act requires that all new plans cover essential health benefits for all individual and family plans and small group plans. I've underlined the benefits which are typically not included in pre-2014 plans.

All new 2014 plans offer these required essential health benefits:

Outpatient services
Emergency services
Hospitalization
Maternity and newborn care
Mental health and substance use disorder, including behavioral health treatment
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
Pediatric dental and vision

Preventive services will be paid at 100 percent with no copay when you see an in-network provider. Other benefit costs apply towards deductible and will be paid for after you meet your deductible. Depending on the plan you choose, you may still be responsible for paying a copay and coinsurance.

It is important to note that these benefits come with a higher price of coverage. In addition, approximately 10% of the new monthly premiums are taxes which will help pay for the start up of the Marketplace enrollment system and tax subsidies for eligible citizens.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

What You Should Know About 2014 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plan Benefits

3/25/2014

For those of you who are on a new plan effective 1/1/14 or later, I'm going to briefly share a few key points regarding your current plan benefits. As the government has changed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) laws 35 times, we are finding our more every day which may affect your choices for the future. Initially, not all of the administrative procedures of the 2014 plans were released because they were still writing the legistlation.

If you are on a new PPACA 2014 plan, depending on how much you use your insurance, you may not realize how differently the benefits are administered this year.

The network coverage is very different. Blue Cross Blue Shield has 5 different networks and the bigger the network, the bigger the monthly premium. You must stay in-network to receive benefits. There are no out-of-network benefits on most plans unless the claim is a "true emergency"....now defined as potential loss of life or limb if immediate medical treatment is not sought.
Primary care doctors must make referrals to specialists and coordinate your care. If you don't have a primary doctor, one will be assigned to you. If you haven't established a relationship with one, please do so and let your insurance company know. An annual physical is paid for by insurance carriers to provide early detection of health issues if you see an in-network provider. Certain other preventative care tests are also covered based on age and frequency.
If you received a subsidy and the Marketplace has requested information to support your income, and/or identity, please send it in promptly to avoid losing your subsidy.
If your coverage lapses due to non-payment of premium, you cannot receive a new tax subsidy for your next plan until 1/1/15. This is a new law written last week! If it is close to the end of the month and you haven't yet paid your premium, please pay online or call the carrier to make a payment over the phone. Payment receipt and processing must be completed by the carrier prior to the end of the month.
If you dropped your plan which was effective before 2014, you cannot go back to it. Think twice before making a change and call us for assistance.
If a generic is available, you can't get a brand name medicine. If you jump thru lots of hoops, you may get an exception to this rule with your doctor's help.
If a medicine is available over the counter, you can't get a prescription for it anymore, nor can you pay for it with a
After March 31st, you cannot change your plan benefits.
You must have a qualifying event to change your coverage with a special enrollment period. This includes: Marriage, divorce, birth, death, adoption, moving to a new area where your plan isn't offered, loss of coverage, etc. Should you have one of these events, please contact us.

Open enrollment will begin again November 15, 2014 for a January 1, 2015 effective date. It is expected to run through February 15, 2015. We have no information yet on the 2015 plans and what the enrollment process will be. We have not been told yet if you will need to re-enroll.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

You Must Have Health Insurance by March 31st - What If Something Changes After That?

3/24/2014

qualifying life event

Be sure to purchase coverage before the end of March. If you miss that period, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period. Please note: you can purchase dental and vision coverage at any time (including outside of the open enrollment period), even if you don't experience a qualifying life event.

Here’s a list of life events that qualify you for a special enrollment period:

Losing your health coverage through a life event

Examples of these life events include: getting a divorce, losing your job, losing your Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, your current plan being decertified or expiring COBRA coverage
Please note: If you voluntarily quit your health plan or are terminated because you didn’t pay your premiums, you are not eligible for a special enrollment period.

Getting married
Having or adopting a child, or placing a child for adoption
Permanently moving somewhere with different health insurance options
Experiencing an enrollment error
Having a change in income or household status that changes your eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions
Your plan or issuer substantially violating a material provision of the contract you’re enrolled under

If you need more information, help understanding special enrollment periods or help choosing a health plan that’s best for you, talk to one of our experienced health insurance experts by calling 888-883-5290.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Administration Extends Transitional Relief Through 2016

3/20/2014

Recently the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the Transitional Relief policy for two years to policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2016 with the possibility of adding a one year extension. Thus, individuals and small businesses may be able to keep their non-ACA compliant coverage into 2017, depending on the plan or policy year. As with the earlier Transitional Relief policy, State governments and health insurance issuers will have the option to offer the Transitional Relief or not participate.

Contact Jeanine with questions about your plan.

Open Enrollment Closes March 31st - What Does This Mean For You?

3/17/2014

Chances are if you are reading this, you already have health insurance. If you'd like us to show you what's available in 2014 plans, just let us know and we'll create options based on your situation. It's complicated and not one size fits all, so let's talk this month while your options are still open. For the remaining coverage year of 2014, individual health insurance can only be purchased if it's lost elsewhere. Some may mistakenly think that without medical underwriting, they can wait until they have a health issue to buy insurance. It won't be possible unless a qualifying event allows for a change in coverage. A qualifying event would be a change in family status (marriage or divorce), moving to an area where your 2014 ACA plan isn't sold, loss of current health insurance coverage, etc. If you have friends or family who are going without, please ask them to call us so we can explain the limitations and tax penalty they may be subject to. Many are unaware of the deadline to get insured.

Q: Can I go back to last year's plan?
A: No, they are gone forever.

We can compare current coverage to marketplace options for both individuals and groups. We are also Certified SHOP enrollers for small businesses.

Contact Jeanine for help!

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

If You Like Your Plan... You Can Keep It... Longer

3/12/2014

"Most individuals can keep their plans for another 2 years."

After the wrath of anger from consumers who had their individual health insurance plans cancelled 4th quarter of 2013, the Obama Administration chose to avoid this issue during the mid-term elections this upcoming fall. 10 times as many people were scheduled to have their health insurance canceled at the end of 2014. This week it was announced, most individuals could keep their plans for another 2 years. The Administration called pre-Affordable Care Act insurance "no-frills" plans. I have to dispute that idea completely, as many plans had more features and benefits than the new 2014 plans. Regardless, this is good news for those who would not receive a significant subsidy. Most pre-ACA plans have more affordable monthly premiums and include benefits to use the coverage more affordably, too.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Expanded Medicaid - Healthy Michigan begins April 1st.

3/7/2014

About half of the states expanded Medicaid

Healthy Michigan will begin April 1st. This is the program which allows adults without dependents and with assets, but little income, to qualify for Medicaid. If you have been told you don't make enough money to get a subsidy for an individual plan, after April 1st, you may apply for coverage. About half the states expanded Medicaid. The States who did not expand Medicaid felt it was a costly program with an unknown future as the Federal matching funds were not committed after 3 years. For Hoosiers, Indiana did not choose to expand Medicaid.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

New Low Minimum For Retirement Accounts

3/5/2014

It's NEVER too late to start your retirement savings plan.

Open a new account with as little as $1,000. Plan to add $100 as your income allows and you'll gain peace of mind and empowerment that you're on your way to a secure retirement. It may be a part of your 2013 tax-reduction strategy if you open it before April 15.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Group Benefits For As Few As 2 Employees!

3/3/2014

Ask about affordable and better benefits than individual plans.

Who knew? Affordable and better benefits than individual plans, group coverage may also include dental, vision, critical illness, life insurance, disability coverage, and accident. We build it according to your budget. Businesses get a tax deduction and employees can pay pre-tax for their contributions.

Jeanine Kinzie is a Licensed Health Insurance Agent, Licensed Life Insurance Agent and a Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller / SHOP Marketplace Enroller from Grand Rapids, Michigan.