October 2014

Renewal Season & Open Enrollment Period for 2015

Barbara headshot

310-909-6135

The open enrollment period for medical insurance starts on November 15, 2014. However, many clients have already or will be receiving renewal notification letters before November 15th, indicating their premium increases. Hopefully by next week all insurance carriers will publish their 2015 rates. Without a total market transparency it is not wise just to renew your current health plan. I urge you to be patient and wait the next two weeks. Only on November 15th one will be able to switch insurance carriers outside the exchange and enroll into a new health plan. Currently the renewal process at Covered California is on hold due to technical errors on their website.Hopefully these technical problems will be solved by next week.

I am in the process of contacting each of my clients to discuss their best options for 2015. What you could do in the meantime is to review your income for 2014/ 2015, list your preferred doctors and hospitals and see if there are any personal data changes such as a new address adding or removing of a family member or email or telephone changes.

2015. Are you confused about renewal and open enrollment period ? Read my blog for more details. 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 or 2015 ,then your MAGI of 2014/2015. 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. However their premiums are higher and you are not able to qualify for a subsidy. 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: Address and personal data

In the renewal process make sure that your personal data such as birth dates, family members address and emails are up-to-date.

Tip4 : Prescription

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

Tip 5: 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? For example Anthem's PPO plan will be terminated at the end of 2014.

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.

I want to thank you for your support and condolences upon the death of my father last Tuesday. He was my anchor and taught me wonderful values such as honesty, love, trustworthiness, friendship and hard work; he will always be a part of me.

Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated and helps me through this difficult time.

Remember love, friend ship 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.