Laughlin Insurance Newsletter
In This Issue
Affordable Care Act frequently asked questions
Health Plan News and Information
New to Medicare and have questions?
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Oregon | Washington 

July 2016

Thank you for reading our agency newsletter. 
A lot has changed with the health insurance markets in recent years.  We are keeping up with the changes, and we are prepared to help you when you need us.  Our newsletter includes information about individual and employer health insurance, and other insurance programs and services.  Be sure to forward this newsletter to anyone that you think would benefit from our special work.  We are looking forward to helping you throughout the year, and at each renewal or open enrollment.  
       
Affordable Care Act Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a Special Enrollment Period?  A Special Enrollment Period may allow you to enroll in a Marketplace individual health insurance plan outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period, if you experience a qualifying event.  Consumers should enroll in a new plan within 60 days of a Special Enrollment Period.  You can see a list of qualifying life event situations here.

 

How Do I Prepare for Open Enrollment?  There are a few things you should gather to help make the individual health insurance application process quicker and easier.  Gather this information before you contact us to start your application.  If you don't take the time to gather these things before open enrollment, there may be delays with your plan review and enrollment.  You can learn more about how to prepare for open enrollment here


Health Plan News and Information
 
Oregon announced final Individual and Small Employer health insurance rates for 2017.  Rate filings are publicly available. Rates are going up again for the new year, due mainly to the unusually high amount of claims from individual plan members.  We are reviewing the options and rates now and will be prepared to help you with review and enrollment during the 2017 open enrollment beginning November 1, 2016. Read the news release and see the approved rates here.
 
We expect that the Oregon plans below will be available for 2017 individual and/or group health plans.  Along with the rate increases, some plans will be leaving certain counties, renaming products and networks, and some plans are expected to require the selection of a primary care provider at the time of enrollment.  You can click on the name of each plan to learn more about their plan options, networks, and more;
LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon; this plan is leaving Oregon January 1, 2017.
 
LifWise Health Plan of Washington; this plan will no longer allow consumers to use licensed and certified health insurance agents effective January 2017.
 
We are also reviewing the Washington health insurance carriers, options and rates, and will be ready to help Washington health insurance consumers during the 2017 open enrollment.
 
New to Medicre and have questions?

If you are soon newly eligible for Medicare, then you may be in your initial enrollment period.  You also may have received many Medicare solicitations by mail.  We can help you understand your options and help you find a quality program at an affordable price.  Below are some Medicare resources that you may find helpful.
We have licensed sales representatives available to help you review your options, answer your questions, and help with enrollment and customer support throughout the year.