| July 2016 | Covered California announces 2017 rates
|
|
|
|
|
| This month Covered California announced a drastic increase, in the individual health insurance rates for 2017. The average increase is, statewide, 13.2%. Anthem and Blue Shield, both PPO carriers in 2016, are reporting average increases of 19.9 % and higher for 2017. EPO carrier Oscar reports an increase of 11-17%.
This is a stark contrast to the moderate statewide increases of 2015 and 2016 that averaged 4.2%. One might even wonder whether this announcement of extreme increases was orchestrated to raise the health care debate in an election year.
Insurance carriers are claiming that the removal of the Reinsurance program and their underestimating of the utilization of health care services, caused the drastic increase. One might also wonder why Kaiser, LA Care and Molina Care raised their rates only around 7 percent, is it due to the fact that the gate keeper in the HMO system can help lower the utilization? This might be the reason why Covered CA is asking in 2017 that even PPO policy holders will be required to elect a primary care doctor.
Nevertheless, especially for Californians who do not qualify for a tax subsidy, this will be a very hard pill to swallow. Most likely they will be forced to settle for lower health benefits, and/or go into plans with higher deductibles, or they might have to leave their current doctors and hospitals, in order to afford health insurance in 2017.
However, there is a positive side. The benefit structure of the 2017 Silver plans have been significantly improved. ER-visits will have a co-payment instead of going towards the deductible and Primary Care visits and Urgent Care Visits are reduced to $ 35 per visit .
For more detail information read my Blog.
I will contact all my clients in the upcoming weeks to discuss their health care needs for 2017. |
|
 |
|
Looking for affordable health insurance? Find a quote by using the : Quick Links | |
|
|
|
What's new in the Health & Life Insurance World?
| |
Getting Ready for the Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and RX Plans & the Open Enrollment Period for Medical Insurance for 2017
While completing most of the re-certification programs of the major Medicare providers, I learned that Seniors will also be experiencing some increases in their premiums,especially in the prescription drug plans. For 2017, the Part D ( pre-scription drug plans) the deductible will increase to $ 400, the "donut hole " will start at $ 3700. I will provide you with more information in October when agents, such as myself, will be allowed to market the Medicare Advantage and PDP (Rx) Plans for 2017. 
Seniors, please note on your calendars the Annual Enrollment Period for 2017, is from October 15 to December 7th 2016, should you wish to make changes to your current Medicare Advantage or PDP (RX)plans.
Read my most recent blog on "Senior Health Status in California"
For Individuals under 65 years. Please mark your calendars, as well. The Open Enrollment Period for medical health plans is November 1, 2016 to Januar y 31, 2017. In this time period you can make changes to your existing plan without having any medical underwriting and you will be able to change insurance carriers. Once the final rates and networks are published, both in and outside the exchanges, I will contact all my existing clients to determine which plan best fits their health needs for 2017.
I represent all health insurance carriers and I am a certified agent for Covered CA. If you know someone who has questions concerning Health, Medicare, LTC & Life Insurance please call me at 310-909-6135 or send an email to [email protected]
|
|
Many of you are still in vacation. Use this wonderful time to relax and spend time with your family and friends.
 Remember... love, laughter and good times are the best medicine for you.
Relax, Love, Laugh and enjoy these days of Summer.
Sincerely,
Barbara Schmalz
Solid Insurance Services
310-909-6135
|
|
