I have been helping customers get enrolled in the Heath Insurance Marketplace (or Exchange) (www.healthcare.gov) to help them find the best options in health insurance with a Subsidy.  The task of going through the website can be frustrating on how many questions they ask and how many screens you need to go through and answer questions on to find out if you are eligible for a subsidy.  The other troubling issue is that you will need to delete your application if you would like to make any changes and go through the entire questionnaire again.  Once you get through the questions and estimated income for 2014, they will give you a result and if you can receive a subsidy.

The subsidy is based on your income and family size.  In other states they raised the Medicaid limits to align with the 138% of the poverty level, so if you do not qualify for a subsidy, you would qualify for Medicaid.   In Texas however, the Medicaid level was not raised so we have a gap between 100% – 138% of the federal poverty level.  This creates a gap in coverage assistance.  I have had numerous people who really need assistance not eligible for Medicaid and have no access to a subsidy.  This forces them to paying market pricing for their health insurance policies.

This is a casualty of the changes in Health Insurance with the Affordable Care Act.  Previously we had a gap with children only not being able to get individual policies, not we have entire families effected by the changes.  If you are looking to find out of you are elegible for a subsidy, the best calculator to give you a quick and easy answer is the Kaiser Subsidy Calculator.  They will have you put in your estimated 2014 income and they will give you your annual subsidy amount.

We can help you find your solution in health coverage.  There is no extra cost working with a broker and you will have a personal advocate.  We can help if you are eligible for subsidy or just looking for 2014 coverage.  Call us today for a consultation.

Applications done to obtain coverage on the exchange, may be as complicated as doing your taxes.  Health Care Reform applications in current drafts are 15 pages in length, online will be 21 steps with some added questions.  They will have at least three major federal agencies, including the IRS scrutinizing your application.  To qualify for health insurance subsidy payments they will require income verification.

AP Exclusive: Applying for health care not easy – Connecticut Post.

Found this article on NPR on taking care of ear infections more cautiously and hold off on prescribing antibiotics.  We tend to use more antibiotics than we should.  This article suggest diagnosing correctly and waiting a couple of days with just using pain reliever, and many ear infections heal themselves.

Pediatricians Urged To Treat Ear Infections More Cautiously : Shots – Health News : NPR.

Here is an interesting article from the Dallas Morning News and Humana’s CEO talking about Health Care Reform Premiums.  We are looking at having more free services with the Health Care Mandates that will drive premiums higher.  They are saying about a 40% increase in this article.

Humana CEO: Higher insurance premiums ahead | Dallas-Fort Worth Business News – News for Dallas, Texas – The Dallas Morning News – The Dallas Morning News.

This year as we approach the Affordable Care Act, a new question we will be asking when you are signing up for health insurance is about how much you earn.  The reason to ask this now is that the Health Insurance Exchange starting in October 2013 for signup will have subsidies to help you pay for health insurance.  If you earn less than 400% of the poverty level, you will qualify for assistance.  The affordable care act has also increased the limits for qualifying for Medicaid.   The question will as well be important for you if you decided not to have health insurance as it will be used to calculate your penalty.  The times are changing, so do not be surprised if your insurance agent asks about your earnings.  They are looking to ensure you can save on your health insurance premium.  I found this story in the LA Times.

Tax help comes with health insurance advice – Los Angeles Times.

Affordable Care Act not looking so affordable.  For employers it is less attractive to pay for insurance, most will opt to pay the penalty.  Obamacare will cost the government $1.165 trillion over the next decade.   Found this interesting article in the CFO Daily News.

Why even more employers may do away with healthcare.

I found this interesting article in Businessweek on the Broken-Down Boomer Generation and how our health now is worse than the previous generation.  It makes me wonder why we are in worse shape than before.  Is it our food or have we really changed our lifestyle to be better or worse?  I think we need to look at making some changes to live healthier.

Scary Health-Care Statistics on the Broken-Down Boomer Generation – Businessweek.

Dental Insurance options for Texans to consider. Individual dental insurance for Texas is a question I always get asked about what options.  Most people really become interested in dental insurance when they have dental issues – cavities, crowns, or are in pain.  Being in need of assistance when you are in pain limits your choices to a few plans such as HMO’s and PPO plans with a increasing benefit year over year.  We have discount plans as well, I am sure we can find a plan that can meet your needs.

Most basic dental plans have have no waiting periods for preventive cleaning/x-rays but do have waiting periods of 6-months for minor work – fillings, and 12-month waiting period for major work.  If you are leaving a group plan dental, we have one company that waves the waiting periods if you transition to their plan within 30-days of leaving the group coverage.  The company offers benefits similar to group plans with a 100/80/50 with $1500 in annual benefit.

When considering a dental plan, I always suggest looking at the annual premium outlay to ensure it makes sense for your specific situation.  If you just need cleanings usually, we have some plans that keep premiums low that offer preventative and minor coverage after 6-months.  The major coverage on this plan turns to a discount plan.

If you need assistance finding a plan for your specific needs, give us a call and we can share with you what is available on the market.

Dental Insurance options to consider – RF Insurance Masters – YouTube.