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.

This year’s election shook up the country. Many people are concerned about health insurance through Covered California thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While it is true that many of America’s leaders have threatened to eliminate the ACA, campaign rhetoric and candidate promises are  often much different than what actually happens after election results. For Congress to act and implement any new plans could take years. 

We want to inform you about the future of ACA and Covered California as we get information. Here is some of the information received by Covered California sent to insurance brokers to explain what’s happening: 

 Consumers Need to Know Their Options 

Open enrollment is the time when consumers can get health coverage. The deadline is January 31, 2017. Covered California will be providing messages to consumers about their options throughout this important time. Health insurance brokers should reassure consumers that: 

• Covered California is open for business and happy to help you enroll or renew. 
• Your Covered California coverage is not in jeopardy. We encourage you to renew into your existing plan or shop for a new plan that best fits you and your family. Don’t risk a financial burden in 2017 by not enrolling.
• Covered California does not rely on federal money or funding. Our exchange is state-run and self-sustainable. 
• Your financial assistance (subsidies, APTC/CSR, small business tax credits) are protected under the law.
• Your coverage will remain intact for 2017 and the foreseeable future.

Health Insurance Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult 

We understand that people who don’t speak “insurance” may have a hard time understanding which plans fit their needs. Our office is committed to helping you comprehend what’s available on the exchange for you and your family. We have group plans and individual plans that give you peace of mind. 

For more information on open enrollment and for all of your health insurance needs, contact Sackett & Associates, your health insurance experts in Sonoma County, California.  Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our blog to keep up-to-date on what’s happening in the insurance market.

It’s that time of year again: open enrollment for your health insurance plan. Between November 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017, you and other California residents will have the opportunity to choose a health insurance plan that works best for you and your family. Sackett & Associates Insurance Services is happy to help you make this very important decision. We will work with you to determine your needs, wants and budget to make sure you get a plan that fulfills your desires and provides you with the security net that you expect.

Making the Choice
Choosing your health plan and related insurance is not a decision to be taken lightly. To be sure you receive the best plans possible, you should always enlist the guidance of a Certified Covered California Agent. With the help of an experienced agent, you can avoid paying extra for coverage you don’t need, be certain that you comply with existing regulations and avoid any penalties for not obtaining coverage. Even if your employer offers insurance, if it is deemed inadequate California law may allow you to buy coverage in Covered California’s Individual Marketplace and provides for a tax credit or subsidy to help make the coverage more affordable. With these provisions in place, we know that everyone can enjoy the opportunity to choose a plan that fits their needs and their budget.

Legal Requirements
Like the rest of the US, California residents have been legally required to purchase health insurance since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. If you or your family fail to prove you have health insurance, you may be fined penalties that are based on your household adjusted gross income or family size. In 2017 penalties will be $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, up to a maximum of $2,085 or 2.5% of the household adjusted gross income, whichever amount is greater. These penalties can be significant for many families. It is important that you take the opportunity to choose an affordable plan that can help reduce the financial burden this penalty could have on you and your family.
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Let Us Help
​At Sackett & Associates Insurance Services, we have made it our priority to help clients find the best health insurance solutions available. This means we don’t rest until we find a plan that fits your needs. Let us do what we do best on your behalf, and help you find the best plan possible. Find us on Google and subscribe to our blog for more updates on how we can help you save on all your  health insurance needs.

At Sackett Insurance Services, we understand that health insurance is an incredibly important and personal matter. For many of our clients, having a plan that fits their needs feels like having a safety net follow them through their daily lives. We want everyone to feel the same level of security at all times, so we often encourage our clients to reevaluate their health insurance plans during open enrollment every year. Only after comparing plans and prices can you be sure you have the coverage you need at the best possible price.

Automatic Enrollment
Many insurance companies offer automatic enrollment. This is a great option for some people, but could be detrimental to others. When companies automatically enroll you in a plan, they may give you the same plan you had in 2016, or they may give you a similar plan if your current plan is being discontinued or phased out. This means you are not automatically guaranteed you will receive the plan you had. Keep surprises to a minimum by having your health insurance broker look at your plan and determine if it still works for you.

Life Changes
Have you had any life changes in the past year? When births, deaths, adoptions, marriages, new jobs and other significant life events occur, you should always seek the advice of a Certified Covered California Agent. They can help you learn whether you should simply add someone to your existing plan during open enrollment or whether switching to an entirely different plan may be the better option. Each event can have a big impact on cost, deductibles and other important considerations, so it is always best to learn how these issues will affect you and what you can do to keep your out-of-pocket expenses manageable without compromising care.

Medical Considerations
Plans on Covered California are ranked in multiple tiers, or coverage levels. If you or a family member are diagnosed with a medical condition during the year, it may be to your benefit to switch tiers and obtain insurance that provides more complete or affordable coverage. For example, you may decide you want a lower deductible, or a plan with lower out-of-pocket costs. Because California law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions in many circumstances, you may still find great coverage, even if you switch plans.

Situations and needs change. At Sackett & Associates Insurance Services, we can help you find the right fit for you and your family so you know you are covered no matter what. Contact us today to learn how we can help.

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Summer is winding down, the kids are back in school, and it’s that time of year again: open enrollment for your 2017 health coverage. The period officially begins on November 1, 2016 and will extent until January 31, 2017. Whenever you're ready to review your health insurance policy and plan, Sackett & Associates is here to help you understand which option is right for you.

Choosing the Right Plan

With few exceptions, every American must have health insurance, whether you're between jobs, unemployed, a student, self-employed, or an early retiree. During open enrollment, you can shop for a health insurance policy that meets your needs, obtain prices for various policies, and enroll in the plan of your choice. If you're on a limited budget, you may be concerned about healthcare costs. Depending on your family size and annual household income level, federal financial assistance can help reduce the health insurance costs for those who qualify. 

​Open enrollment is the time for you to shop for the right health insurance plan that meets your needs and budget. 

Paying Attention to the Deadline

Make sure to sign up for a health insurance plan before January 31, 2017. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the next period to get coverage. You can also be charged annual penalties for not having health insurance coverage.

For more information on the open enrollment deadlines and for all of your health insurance needs, contact Sackett & Associates, your health insurance experts in Sonoma County, California.  ​

Open enrollment has been open for a little over a month, meaning right now is the perfect time to enroll in a health insurance policy for 2016. The last day to sign up for a plan is January 31, 2016, but that is not the only deadline that you need to know. Keep this simple guide in mind to help you keep track of the most important open enrollment deadlines.

• November 1st – when open enrollment started and the first day that you were able to sign up for health insurance coverage for 2016.
• December 15th – the last day that you can change your health insurance plan or enroll in a new policy in order for your coverage to start on January 1, 2016.
• January 1st – the first day that your health insurance coverage can start if you enrolled in a plan on or before December 15th.
• January 15th – the last day to change your plan or enroll in a new health insurance policy in order for your coverage to start on February 1st.
• January 31st – the last day of the 2016 open enrollment. Any changes that you make to your health insurance between January 16th and January 31st will start on March 1st.

 If you don’t enroll in a health insurance plan by January 31, 2016, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll in coverage. The only way that you can sign up for a health plan outside of open enrollment is if you qualify for a special enrollment period with a qualifying life event.
For more information on the open enrollment deadlines and for all of your health insurance needs, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County, California.  ​

How To Get The Coverage You Need After February 15th

If you wake up on February 15th with a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach it may be because you forgot to get your sweetheart something for Valentine’s Day, or because it is the last day of the current Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period. Do not wait until this deadline to get the health coverage you need or you could be stuck without coverage and facing tax penalty fees in the New Year. 

If, however, life gets in the way and you are unable to get ACA-compliant health care coverage by that date, there are a few things you can do to try to remedy the situation. They are:

• See If You Qualify For Special Enrollment Period: If you began your application process but were unable to get it completed by the deadline, ask for an extension on your enrollment period. The government is granting extensions for some who had complications with their applications. Also, if you had serious life changes occur during the open enrollment period such as getting married or divorced, adopting or having a child, or losing your job you may have a qualifying life event that will enable you to get an extension of up to sixty days.
• Get Other Coverage: If all else fails and you cannot secure an extension, you can still get health care through a short-term insurance plan. Although you will still be eligible to be hit with tax penalties, you will at least have the insurance you need to avoid high health expenses until the next open enrollment period.  

Whether you remember to secure insurance before February 15th or you miss the deadline, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County, California. Our team of Affordable Care Act experts can help you get the coverage you need to be protected in 2015. Do not hesitate to call us today!

A Step-By-Step Guide To Getting The Right Plan For You

If you enrolled in a plan during the last open enrollment period but have found it will no longer meet your needs for the coming year, you have the opportunity to switch plans during the current open enrollment period that ends February 15th. Until the 15th, you can shop the marketplace to find the healthcare plan that best meets your needs. Here is a simple guide to making the switch.

1. Shop The Marketplace: The number of plans available has increased since 2014, so even if you liked your plan last year you will want to check out other options to make sure you are not missing out on better coverage and/or savings. Doing a small amount of research now could save you money for the rest of the year. 
2. Log In: Once you have found the right plan, you can easily make the switch to secure that coverage for the coming year online. Simply log in to your marketplace plan by heading here and go through the process step by step. Finish each item on the to-do list and make sure you select “Continue to Enrollment” and enroll in the plan you choose. If you do not complete the last step, you will not be properly enrolled. 
3. Update Your Information: Whether or not you decide to change plans this year, make sure you keep your household information updated online so you can keep your coverage current and avoid missing out on any savings. 

To connect with an agent who will take the time to ensure you are getting the right plan for your needs in 2015, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County, California. We are here with the industry experience and Affordable Care Act knowledge necessary to ensure you get the best coverage for the best price. Call us today!

The open enrollment period is here! Starting on November 15th, 2014 and ending on February 15th, 2015, you must obtain health insurance if you want to avoid being charged penalty fees. A large majority of Americans missed the first open enrollment period, hence the reason why no penalties were enforced during the first enrollment period. However, now that everyone has had sufficient time to prepare and understand Obamacare and their responsibility, penalties will be enforced. These penalties can easily exceed thousands of dollars annually, depending on the size of your household, which stresses the importance of being prepared. Penalties are calculated based on annual fixed rates per person in your household or by calculating a percentage of your annual household income. Therefore, obtaining the necessary health insurance can cost significantly less than facing annual penalties. 

Rather than viewing the requirement to obtain health insurance as a forced burden, it is important that you take on the mindset of universal health care for all. Now, every American will be able to receive the preventative care their bodies require to thrive. 

In order to prepare for the upcoming open enrollment period, it is important that you seek the guidance of a Certified Covered California Agent, such as the ones at Sackett & Associates Insurance Services. We can ensure that you comply with the regulations surrounding the Affordable Care Act so that you can avoid all penalties. 

Contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County for all of your California individual health insurance needs. We will assist you in navigating the second Obamacare open enrollment period until you are confident in your coverage and receive your confirmation letter. We understand this can be a daunting task, which is why we are available around the clock to assist! 

The second Obamacare open enrollment period is almost here, and if you are one of the many individuals who missed out on the first open enrollment period because you were unprepared or confused, now is the time to prepare! This time around, there will be no leeway for those who fail to enroll in time. 

With website malfunctions and initial confusion during the first Obamacare open enrollment period, Obamacare officiates gave individuals who failed to enroll a break. However, if you fail to enroll during the second Obamacare open enrollment period, which begins on November 15th, 2014 and ends on February 15th, 2015, you will be faced with new penalties. 

There are two ways in calculating how much an individual is required to pay for their monthly penalty. Once these two methods are calculated, you will be required to pay the higher amount. The first way is by calculating 2% of your household annual income. The second calculation method is $325 per person annually. Children are only $162.50 annually until they turn 18 years old. However, these numbers will continue to grow. In 2016, if you do not obtain health insurance, you will be required to pay either 2.5% of your annual household income or $695 per person annually. 

To avoid being charged annual penalties, simply enroll for health insurance during the second Obamacare enrollment period! 

Contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County for all of your California individual health insurance needs. Regulations surrounding Covered California can be confusing, which is why we are available around the clock to ensure that you obtain health coverage that meets all Affordable Care Act regulations. The last thing we want is for you to be faced with penalties for not complying with all new rules and requirements. Allow the Certified Covered California agents at Sackett & Associates Insurance Services to assist! 

If you are still confused about all the regulations and requirements surrounding the health care reform, don’t fret! We have gathered all the important information you need to know regarding the enrollment periods for health care.

In order to obtain health insurance, you must enroll during the specified open enrollment period. If you miss the enrollment period, you must wait until the following period. The only way to enroll outside of the defined open enrollment period is if you experience one of the qualifying life events that make you eligible to register during the special enrollment period. The qualifying life events include:

• Marriage
• Having, Adopting, or Placement of a Child
• A Permanent Move to a Location With Unique Health Plan Options
• Loosing Health Coverage (Does not include when an individual is terminated or willingly cancels their existing policy)
• If any change in income or household status affects eligibility

Contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services for all of your Sonoma County health insurance needs. We can answer any remaining questions you may have regarding implications of the Affordable Care Act.