August 2015

Getting Prepared for the Open Enrollment Period for 2016

Barbara headshot

310-909-6135

After publishing the preliminary 2016 health insurance rates in July, Covered California has started the process of getting Californians prepared for the renewal of their health insurance for 2016. Covered California sent out various notification letters to enrollees to provide income information, legal status, and other kinds of information such as proof of minimum coverage. It is critical to provide the requested information in a timely manner as early as August 31 to Covered California, to ensure that the

subsidy payment toward your health insurance will be continued for 2016.

If you have problems understanding the letter or to upload the information to your Covered California account, please do not hesitate to contact me at info@solidhealthinsurance.com. For more information about the renewal process, please read my blog.

Californians who get their insurance coverage from carriers outside the exchange will receive in September letters from their carriers to provide or verify their Social Security numbers. It is critical that you supply this information to your insurance carrier, since they are required to report them to the IRS, so that you do not have to pay any tax penalties for not carrying any health insurance.

In This Issue

Tips to Prepare for Renewal of 2016 for Individual and Small Business Owners

Tips for Seniors to be Prepared for the Annual Enrollment Period

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

Quick Links

Cigna

Tips for Small Business Owners to Migrate to ACA-compliant Health Plans for 2016

At the end of 2015, approximately 70% of small business owners who offer group health insurance have to migrate into Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant health plans. Therefore experts foresee significant premium increases in group health plans, confusion about the variety of group health plan choices, and delays in the enrollment process due to the sheer volume of small group renewal business.

Here are some helpful tips for business owners to prepare for the transition:

1) Prepare your group employee census with accurate employee zip code and family size. Ask your key employees of their medical and hospital preferences.

2) Compare all health insurance choices of SHOP, CalChoice, and the most competitive single carrier health plans on one spread sheet.

3) Expect delays.Start the renewal process early to give the insurance companies plenty of time to renew, so that your employees have their new ID cards on time.

4) Alert your employees to stock up on their medications for a one-month supply, since there may be unforeseen circumstances that might delay the enrollment process.

For more detailed information, read my blog

Please refer me to your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and employees. In these complicated times of medical insurance, everyone needs Solid Health Insurance advice.

Tips for Seniors to Be Prepared for the Annual Enrollment Period Starting 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. Schedule your appointment with your doctor now to see if you possibly need new medications for 2016. This will enable you in October to choose the prescription plan that fits your current medical needs.

In 2016 in the Los Angeles area, none of the health insurance carriers plans to offer PPO plans for Medicare Advantage Plans.

The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Plan Part D for 2015 will begin October 15 and ends December 7, 2015. 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 2016, please contact me at info@solidhealthinsurance.com or 310-909-6135.

To all female business owners and associates, join me in our fun-filled

West LA Chamber Women's Networking group September 15th at Barrister, 11620 Wilshire Blvd. 9th Floor at 6 pm.

Topic: Network and define your most important business goal for the last quarter of 2015 and exchange marketing strategies in small-group settings with female entrepreneurs.

RSVP via Meet Up or contact me directly.

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.