The Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, despite work this year in Congress to repeal and replace it. Although a recent tax reform bill passed that included a repeal of the individual mandate, steps remain before that becomes reality. Therefore, for 2018, it remains key that you have health insurance coverage or you will face a fine. 

California's Insurance Exchange

Despite efforts to get rid of the insurance exchanges, the Affordable Care Act remains popular. In California, there was a 25 percent increase in the number of people who enrolled on the first day. During the first month of enrollment, there was a 28 percent increase compared to 2017, and 1.2 million people have already renewed for 2018.

Living in California, you enroll in healthcare through the state-run healthcare exchange known as Covered California. This exchange utilizes an active purchaser model, which means that the state negotiates directly with health coverage carriers to create rates and plans that benefit the consumer as much as possible. California's exchange is the only one with standardized health plan requirements for all plans, so all health insurance policies within a certain level have the exact same benefits, other than those that qualify for HSA.

Covered CA Deadlines

Open enrollment 2018 through Covered California began on November 1, 2017. During this period, you can sign up for insurance for the coming year. Once open enrollment ends, you can only sign up for health coverage through the exchange if you have a qualifying life event for a special enrollment period. These include: 

• Significant income change
• Moving to a location with different health care options 
• Getting married
• Becoming a citizen or member of a federally recognized tribe
• Losing your current health insurance
• Becoming 26 years old 

Living in California gives you an extra six weeks to sign up. Unlike other states where the Health and Human Services deadline is December 15, 2017, open enrollment 2018 in California ends on January 31. That means you have until the end of January to sign up and avoid a penalty on your taxes, which can be as much as $2,000 or 2.5 percent of your total tax. 

Although you have extra time to enroll, the deadline will get here before you know it. Additionally, if you require coverage beginning on January 1, 2018, you still need to complete your enrollment by December 15, 2017. Therefore, it is important to get your health insurance as soon as possible.

For more information on how to sign up for health coverage, contact us at 707-823-3689. To remain up to date on the latest health coverage news, like us on Facebook, find us on Google+, and subscribe to our blog. 

It’s that time of year again for those who get their health insurance through the Covered California insurance exchange or directly from the insurance carrier, to renew and or make changes to their current health plan for 2018. Navigating the open enrollment period can be quite daunting to some customers. It’s important to get accurate information about the changes coming  to the health insurance plans in 2018 and if making a switch is a good option.  

Luckily, there are a number of ways you can get help choosing your new plan. One of the more accessible methods of choosing a plan is to go through a health insurance broker. This is a great option because brokers do not cost the client any money, they have a wide knowledge of the qualifying plans currently available on the market, and they also understand how to help you access any health insurance subsidies you are entitled to under the Affordable Care Act.

Step 1: Understanding Your Needs

Whether you use the exchange website or not, your first step is to weigh your options and needs. This involves a few different decisions about your coverage, including:

• Coinsurance and cost-sharing needs
• Maximum premium expenses
• The use of any subsidies you receive
• What covered services are necessary

It’s also important to provide information about your income to a broker or to the exchange during this phase, because if you are buying individual insurance the subsidies will be income-contingent.

Step 2: Reviewing Plan Choices

Once you understand what you can afford to pay and what you need to have covered, it’s easier to reduce the available plans to a selection that fit your situation. For most people, there are still a couple coverage tiers to choose between at this phase, because the cost-sharing options differ enough to make it worthwhile. At this phase, it’s important to be able to ask specific questions about your exact health insurance needs, because sometimes the coverage options leave you with a trade-off between covered services.

Step 3: Completing a Purchase

If you shop on an exchange website, the purchase process will involve signing up for your plan on site and then contacting the company about payment options if there are none directly linked through the exchange. On the other hand, if you shop with a broker, the enrollment and purchase are often streamlined.

Moving Forward With Your 2018 Insurance Purchase

If you are looking for more assistance with your 2018 insurance purchase, or if you want to requalify for your current plan, consider how much easier the process could be if you worked with a broker. Also remember to follow Sackett Insurance Services on Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn for more information about the 2018 health insurance open enrollment period.

The 2018 open enrollment period for healthcare officially runs from November 1, 2017 until January 31, 2018, and it is open to anyone who purchases individual health insurance plans. In fact, even if your employer offers you insurance, you could take advantage of open enrollment for yourself or a member of your household. People with the option to purchase employer-based plans are blocked from certain subsidies because of the fact, but if the insurance on the exchange is a better deal that saves you money, you are welcome to opt for that insurance instead of your employer-based healthcare. 

Types of Health Insurance Plans

There are several types of insurances to understand, both in terms of what kind of plan you have and how much coverage it provides. Here’s a list of types of insurance you need to know about before picking a plan:
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• Health Management Organizations (HMOs): These organizations are usually geographically limited, and they include a network of doctors with coverage options for various services. They tend to have little coverage of out-of-network services.
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): These plans tend to have wider networks for coverage. Often that comes with a slightly higher coinsurance cost, but it also tends to come with better access to out of network providers and more cost-sharing under those circumstances.
• Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs): These are like PPOs, but with more limited options.

Any of these types of plan could also be considered a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum plan if it is sold on the exchange in California, but not every plan of this type will be available on the ACA. Many are still exclusively offered through employers and other channels.

​Purchasing Your Health Insurance for 2018
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Remember, if you are shopping for insurance, a great broker can make the difference. Agents help you understand how your options fit your needs and offer useful advice. The best part is, insurance broker services are free to you. For more information about your 2018 enrollment options, follow Sackett Insurance Services on Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn so you stay up to date with the facts you need to know during this insurance enrollment season.

Individuals who are in a place where they can afford health insurance or want to make changes to their current policy will do well to ensure they are aware of the ACA open enrollment deadlines. Sackett & Associates Insurance Services is here with a breakdown of all the deadlines you need to know to make sure you have proper coverage for 2018. 

• November 1st: The first of November is the initial day of the 2018 Open Enrollment and for signing up for health coverage for the following year.
• December 15th: This is the final day you can make changes to your current coverage plan or select a brand new one if you want your plan to take effect by the first of January. 
• January 1st: As long as you successfully enrolled in a qualified plan before or on December 15th, your health insurance plan will take effect on the first of January. 
• January 15th: This is the final day to either switch your plan or start a brand new policy if you want your coverage to begin on the very first of February. 
• January 31st: The last day of January is also the last day of the 2018 Open Enrollment period. Adjustments to your policy made between the 16th and 31st of January will be scheduled to start on the first of March.    

We recommend you plan on submitting all necessary information and paperwork well before the above deadlines. That way, you have some time to make corrections and submit any missed forms. Additionally, you want to make sure you have enough time to ask any questions you might have about plans you’re considering so you can make a more informed decision about which plan is the best fit for you and your individual healthcare needs.   

For more information on open enrollment, reach out to Sackett & Associates Insurance Services at 707-823-3689. Like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our blog.

Finding the right health insurance for you and your family can be a challenge. With the 2018 open enrollment season coming up, it's important to take the time now to review all your options for insurance coverage so you're ready to make the best choice during the enrollment window. This thorough guide helps you understand your health insurance options, including Covered CA, that is available under the Affordable Care Act parameters.

Important Dates for Open Enrollment 2018

To be covered in 2018, you need to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period. This window of time allows you to manage your coverage in several ways, including:

• Renewing your current coverage for the next year
• Changing to a different plan with your current provider
• Choosing a new insurance provider

To be covered in 2018 in California, you must sign up between November 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. This period only relates to health care policies, not long-term care, auto, or life insurance. The enrollment dates may change in coming years, so it's important to check on the time window every year.

Coverage Is Required by Law

One of the essential requirements of the ACA is that everyone must have health insurance. In California, if you are not covered through an employer's plan, a government plan (such as Medicare or Medi-Cal), or your parent's plan (if you are under age 26), you must apply for individual coverage or pay a tax penalty. There are a few hardship exceptions to this requirement. For example, you may be excluded from the requirement if:

• You have filed for bankruptcy or been evicted
• You have expenses related to the death of a family member, a natural disaster, or domestic violence.
• You belong to a recognized religion that objects to insurance

What Is Covered CA?

One important aspect of the ACA involves changes to make health insurance more affordable. This includes insurance-related tax credits for people who meet certain income and family size requirements. If you qualify for tax credits, you must purchase a policy through California's health exchange, Covered CA, in order to receive financial assistance. 

How to Get Started

Between group coverage (generally offered through an employer) and individual policies, there are numerous health insurance options available. As you prepare for open enrollment 2018, it's important to research the available providers and policies to determine which one is right for you. Working with an independent insurance agency can be an ideal option. 

Here at Sackett Insurance Services, we partner with multiple providers, including Covered CA, to offer excellent choices to individuals and small businesses. For more information about California insurance and open enrollment, contact us at 707-823-3689. You can also like us on Facebook, find us google+, and subscribe to our blog.

2017 is already more than halfway over, which means you’ll soon have the opportunity to enroll for health insurance or change your current plan if you feel it’s not a good match for your current needs. To help ensure you’re prepared, Sackett & Associates Insurance Services is here to offer five solid ways you can be sure you’re ready to get the health coverage you need and deserve. 

1. Know What You Need to Know 

Rather than wait until open enrollment, go ahead and explore the Marketplace now so you can start mulling over your options and avoid the time crunch that comes with deadlines. If you recently changed jobs, ask your employer if the company offers any type of health coverage for which you might qualify. Make note of what’s available to you and gather all necessary information. If your employer offers you health insurance, you may not qualify for a Affordable Care Act subsidy. Knowing this in advance can help you then the time comes.

2. Get Your Budget Ready 

While health insurance is great to have, it’s another monthly expense to keep up with if you want to keep your coverage. Now is the perfect time to not just look at your current budget, but give it an overhaul to make room for those upcoming insurance payments. Restructuring your budget also lets you know what kind of plan you can afford.  

3. Make Note of Deadlines and Key Dates 

Use the calendar app on your phone or computer to make note of the most essential deadlines and dates so you don’t risk being too late for enrollment. To reduce the risk of a mishap, change deadlines and dates to a few days earlier on your calendar to give yourself a grace period in case you need more time to submit all necessary information. For instance; some insurance carriers will drop you immediately if you miss your first payment.

4. Educate Yourself 

Don’t purchase a policy blindly. As you’re exploring your options, make note of any terms or phrases you don’t understand and research them or ask you qualified health insurance broker. Understand how health plans work, how much your deductible will be and which local medical facilities and physicians accept the plan you’re considering. Know your policy and everything in it inside and out. 

5. Gather Everything You Need to Apply 

Go ahead and start getting all the paperwork, documents and information you need to successfully enroll. For instance, you’ll need the Social Security numbers of everyone who will be covered by the plan, information from your W-2 forms and documentation if you’re a legal immigrant. 

For more information on how you can be fully prepared for the next Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our blog.    ​