Please complete this subsidy application and return to our office for processing.
DOWNLOAD SUBSIDY APPLICATION HERE

It is the first step in applying for coverage through the Marketplace.  It is the paper version of what's not working on www.Healthcare.gov.  You will get a response letter in the mail from HHS telling you how much your subsidy is, then we can assist with your online application.

HERE is a link to calculate your potential subsidy for 2014 health insurance.  The subsidy is based on a formula the government created to help you afford health insurance.  The subsidy amount will be sent directly to your insurance carrier each month in 2014 to pay a portion of your premium.  You will need to pay the remaining amount.  When you file your 2014 taxes, the subsidy will be adjusted to reflect your actual income.  Be aware, you may owe more in taxes if you underestimate your income.  It can also be increased should your income fall below your expectation.  However, if you are eligible for Medicaid, no subsidy is allowed.  Please consult with your tax preparer for personal advise.

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

By Jemal R. Brinson and Ryan Haggerty | Tribune graphics
Key part of Affordable Care Act will make health coverage more widely available.

A key part of the Affordable Care Act takes effect Tuesday, when millions of Americans are expected to begin signing up for new health insurance plans, many of which will be subsidized by the federal government. The policies will be sold by various companies through government-run websites called exchanges or marketplaces, where people can compare plans before choosing their best option. The exchanges were created to offer affordable coverage to people who don’t have insurance or who pay too much for their coverage, with most low-income families qualifying for Medicaid or federal subsidies that will help them pay for their policies.

Most people who have coverage through their jobs will likely keep their current policies, although some may be eligible for policies offered through the exchanges. Insurers selling plans through the exchanges cannot deny coverage or charge more to people with pre-existing medical conditions, and they must cover treatments for those conditions. Many preventive services also will be covered at no cost. About 7 million people are expected to use the exchanges to shop for new policies, with coverage beginning in 2014, according to the Congressional Budget Office. With a few exceptions, people who do not have insurance will face a tax penalty, starting next year at $95 or 1 percent of household income, whichever is greater. Here’s a look at how Americans will access health coverage once the exchanges open, plus information about how implementation of the health care law varies across the states.

SOURCES: Tribune Newspapers reporting, Kaiser Family Foundation, whitehouse.gov, healthcare.gov, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Census Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services

Have questions? I can help you navigate through the confusing marketplace. Contact me!
Federally Facilitated Marketplace Enroller #JKINZIE49316@616
National Producer Number #8049289

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

Under the new health care reform laws, there will be some changes coming in the way you pick, purchase and pay for your plan. Here are some of the upcoming steps and dates to remember:

October 1 The Health Insurance Marketplace opens for business for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014. It is optional for you to participate if you already have coverage.  Most carriers are not forcing any changes to current coverage until 1/1/15 for individual plans.  Group insurance benefits must upgrade to the new benefit requirements effective the renewal date next year.  The enrollment form does not include health status with the exception of tobacco use. 

Plans will be more uniform since they must conform to Essential Health Benefits of the "metal" plans: Bronze (60%), Silver (70%), Gold (80%), Platinum (90%), and Catastrophic (available to those in certain situations, under age 30).  We encourage you use our services for comparing your options an enrolling in a new plan if it is a better option for you.

Open enrollment starts Oct. 1, 2013.
We will be able to enroll you in a non-medically underwritten plan for 1/1/14.  For the initial year only, open enrollment lasts from 10/1/13 to 3/31/14.  Coverage begins wither 1/1/14, or the 1st of the following month (for next year only), to ensure no gap in coverage.  If you do not purchase insurance, most will have to pay 1% of their adjusted gross income as a penalty.  We can assist you in calculating your subsidy so you know what your net cost is anticipated to be.  You have an option of having the insurance carrier receive monthly payments from the government, or you can get a refundable tax credit if you do not receive a monthly subsidy.  In most cases, subsidies are not available for those with group insurance options.

January 1 Tax credits (or subsidies) become available. Go to http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ and use theSubsidy Calculator Tool to see if you qualify.

Be forewarned, there are a lot of moving parts to this and it's getting more complicated than ever.  Your accountant may have recommendations for your situation due to income projections changing for 2014.  Keep in mind that open enrollment ending means that you won't be able to purchase coverage anytime during the year, without a qualifying condition.  A qualifying condition would be loss of group coverage due to job loss or change of family status (birth, divorce, adoption, marriage).  The next open enrollment would be October 1st, 2014 for January 1, 2015 effective date.

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

Health Care Reform Takes Effect In 2014
What Does This Mean For You NOW?

When the Affordable Care Act was introduced, it seemed like a good idea. Healthcare costs were escalating faster than inflation. People with pre-existing conditions found it difficult to get coverage. Preventative care wasn't used for early detection the way it was intended due to cost. 30 million people were uninsured and sometimes weren't able to cover the cost of their medical care. Something had to change. My opinion is and was that the changes required to fix the system didn't need a complete overhaul, but that's what we're getting.

We have been led into the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 with the sweetness of free preventative care, children under age 26 allowed staying on their parent's plan, and no child under age 19 being declined for coverage. Next year, we won't have any medical underwriting so all policies will be guaranteed issue. Rate disparities between age bands will be reduced to a ratio of 5:1 to 3:1 which will result in significant rate increases for people in their 20's (not on their parent's plan).

For policies beginning in 2014, PPACA compliant health insurance plans will be very expensive. New health insurance premiums will be very extensive and policies will cover much more than the average policy covers today. While you may be content with your coverage, more benefits always equal more premiums. A bigger increase will be applied to individual policies since group policies already cover more of the essential health benefits. (See details below on essential benefits.)

Republican House Energy and Commerce Committee members, the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate HELP Committee issued a report looking at several previously released studies to make the point those premiums for Individuals and Small Groups are likely to spike in 2014 due to healthcare reform provisions. The reports I have received show a nationwide average increase for individuals purchasing new coverage next year to cost 50-116% more than this year. New group coverage is expected to cost 32% more than this year due to ramifications. We have creative solutions to reduce the increases implemented on current coverage. New product designs and supplements are being rolled out monthly. Yet rules for implementation are still forthcoming.

The exchanges being put into place for purchasing insurance are expected to charge 30-50% more than purchasing insurance from an agent will cost. This is due to extra fees and taxes collected to help pay for the subsidy low income may receive when purchasing coverage thru the exchange. By the way, the proposed application for the subsidy is currently 45 pages long! The Internal Revenue Service is responsible for much of the financial eligibility after the application has been reviewed by Homeland Security. When we discuss your policy, I will advise you if you will be better served by the exchange than what I can assist you with. It's very complicated and I can't give too much general advice. Exchanges will open October 1st for January 1, 2014 effective dates.

Many uninsured people are waiting to see what happens and what will be available to them. This may leave them with less affordable options. Please encourage your friends and family to talk to me about the affordable options NOW and can put in place today. If you have questions you'd like addressed, please email or call me. Contact Jeanine!

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Assurant
Golden Rule/United Health One
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More Information
For more details, please visit www.uhc.com/united_for_reform_resource_center.htm, www.healthcare.gov, and www.kaiserhealthnews.org for more details.

Click on the image to DOWNLOAD this infographic to see additional options for gaining coverage beginning 2014.

Source: Keiser Family Foundation www.kff.org