October 2015

Renewal Season & Open Enrollment Period for 2016

Barbara headshot

310-909-6135

The open enrollment period for individual medical insurance begins on October 15th for Seniors and on November 1, 2015 for Individuals under 65. The Renewal Process for Covered California policy holders starts October 12, 2015.

Covered California has published already its 2016 rates, and I have already sent many of my clients preliminary rate notifications for 2016. This information is especially helpful for Assurant policyholders and Los Angeles Region 16 Individual Health Net PPO policyholders as they will be loosing their health insurance at the end of 2015.

The good news is that the rates are very stable and Blue Shield remains the most competitive PPO health insurance carrier for Southern California. Anthem's PPO rates are slightly higher than those of Blue Shield. Rate and Network information about Oscar, UHC,Cigna,and are not yet approved by the commissioner but will be available by the end of October.Without a total market transparency, it is not wise to simply renew your current health plan.I urge you to be patient and wait until the open Enrollment Period starts on November 1st.

I am in the process of contacting each of my clients to discuss their best options for 2016. In the meantime,I encourage you to review your income for 2015/ 2016, list your preferred doctors and hospitals and see whether you have any personal data changes. The significant data changes include a changed income, a new address, adding or removing of a family member or changes to your email or telephone.

To see whether you qualify for a subsidy for 2016 that would you pay for your 2016 premium please read more at my blog.

In This Issue

Tips to get prepared for Open Enrolmment for 2016

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period starts October 15

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Cigna

How should Californians prepare for the open enrollment period for 2016 ?

What are the best steps you can take to prepare for your 2016 renewal or 2016 application for a health plan?

Tips 1 : Review your tax return of 2014 - and predict your income for 2016.

The biggest factors to help determine whether to apply inside or outside the exchange will be your MAGI, Modified Adjusted Gross Income of your tax return of 2014; or, if you income changed significantly in 2015, what your income prediction is for 2016. Your MAGI can be found on line 37 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 $46,500 or a family of 4 earned under $96,000,then the state will pay part of your insurance premium. In this case 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 plans 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:

In 2016 Anthem is going back to a true PPO and will offer UCLA, the Providence Hospitals and Cedars Sinai. Blue Shield will also be contracted in 2016 with UCLA and Cedars Sinai and continue to include the Providence Hospitals. Oscar will offer an EPO with the Providence Hospitals. Oscar's rates are lower than Kaiser's and they offer unlimited access to Doctor- On-Call, a program providing advice and prescriptions right over the phone. Cigna will be offering a smaller PPO network similar to that in 2015.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 the personal data for yourself and family members, such as birth dates, addresses and emails addresse are up-to-date.

Tip4 : Prescription

Write down your 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 2016 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 for Seniors

Just as your health can change from year to year, it's important to look at your health care coverage every year to be sure it meets your needs. Make an appointment with your doctor to review your current medications so that we can review the 2016 prescription drug plans to your individual prescription needs.

Medicare Enrollment Period

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.

If you are looking for affordable dental insurance, please click on this link to find competitive dental & vision rates.

Wishing you a beautiful time in Fall and please remember love, friendship 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.