September 2014

Getting prepared for the Open Enrollment Period for 2015

Barbara headshot

310-909-6135

Although Covered California published the 2015 rates on the Covered California website, the insurance commissioner of California has not released any final rate approval and is not expected to do so until the End of October. However we know that the networks are either remaining the same (Blue Shield, Assurant Kaiser), or are expanding. Anthem 's EPO plan offers UCLA and Cedar Sinai hospitals. Health Net will be offering only a HMO and EPO on the exchange but will expand their PPO network outside the exchange.

Please mark your calendar

* Annual Enrollment period for Medicare is October 15th to December 7th

* Open Enrollment for Individual Health Insurance is from November 15 th 2014 to February 15th 2015.

In the Open Enrollment Period you are able to switch your health plan without any medical underwriting. Once the final rates are published, I will contact all my clients with a quote comparison analysis for the health plans for 2015.

To see if you qualify for a subsidy for 2015 to help you pay for your premium please read more at my blog

In This Issue

Tips to get prepared for Obamacare

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period starts October 15

Looking for affordable health insurance? Find a quote by using the :

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Cigna

How should Californians prepare for the open enrollment period for 2015 ?

What are the best steps to prepare to apply for a health plan for 2015?

Tips 1 : Review your tax return of 2013 - and determine your income.

The determining factor to apply inside or outside the exchange will be your MAGI, Modified Adjusted Gross Income of your tax return of 2013; or if you income changed significantly in 2014,then your MAGI of 2014. You can find it on line 38 on your 1040 form, line 22 on 1040A, or line 36 of your 1040NR tax return. If your income is under the 400% FPL (Federal Poverty Level ), meaning a single tax filer earned under $46,000 or a family of 4 earned under $95,4000, then the state will pay part of your insurance premium and it makes sense to choose a plan inside the exchange, which I am certified to sell.

If your income is over this amount, then buy your health insurance outside the exchange as you have a wider range of networks and plan variations and you are not required to declare your income. Note that if you are applying within the exchange, your income will be checked with the IRS.

Tip 2: Doctor & Hospital Selection:

The networks inside the exchange are narrower than outside the exchange. Assurant, Health Net, Cigna are offering wider networks outside the exchange than those offered by Anthem, Blue Shield and Health Net inside the exchange. Please write down the doctors and hospitals you want to have so that we can determine which plan is the best fit for you.

Tip 3: Prescription

Write down the prescriptions since formularies will be different by insurance carrier and medical plan.

Tip 4: Choose me as your Agent of Record

Please consult with me prior to applying for your 2015 health insurance coverage. If you apply through Covered California directly, please delegate me as your agent. For the instructions to make this delegation, please click here. I assure you that I will review your individual needs and find the plan that best fits your family and/or business needs.

Please refer me to your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and the people who work for you. In these complicated times of medical insurance, everyone needs Solid Health Insurance advice.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period starts October 15

Your health can change from year to year, which is why it's important to look at your health care coverage every year to be sure it meets your needs. For example are you taking any new prescription drugs? Is your Medicare Advantage Plan leaving the service area ?

The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Plan Part D for 2014 will begin October 15 and ends December 7, 2014. I created this handy review list so that your annual review will be easy to process, please click here .

To learn about some of the great new local Medicare Advantage plans for 2014, please contact me at info@solidhealthinsurance.com or 310-909-6135.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Fall season, and for my Jewish friends and family a Shana Tova may the upcoming year be filled with good health, happiness and love.

Please remember in this trying time to take a deep breath and let your agent at Solid Health Insurance Services help you to navigate through the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare and new ACA health plans.

Remember love, laughter and good times are the best medicine for you.

Barbara Schmalz

Solid Health Insurance Services

310-909-6135

Referral Fee	Referrals are my lifeline! A gift certificate of $15.00 for the company of your choice will be awarded for any referred closed insurance deal.