​If you're eligible for Medicare, you can opt to receive your benefits through either Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or the Medicare Advantage Plan, also called Part C. With a traditional Medicare plan, your covered health benefits are paid for directly by the government. With Medicare Advantage, you receive benefits from a private insurance company, who is then paid by the government. Here's what you need to know about each route to ensure you have the coverage to stay healthy.

​It’s that time of year: the Health Insurance Marketplace’s annual Open Enrollment Period. Now you can evaluate benefits, calculate subsidies and determine the best plan for you and your family. Granted, insurance can get complicated, and if you’re not working with a health insurance broker, it can be difficult to manage all the important information coming your way. To help, we here at Sackett & Associates Insurance Services have compiled this list of things to keep in mind as you navigate enrollment for 2019.

​It seems like health insurance in the United States is constantly changing. With all the changes taking place in the last few years, you may be concerned about your ability to enroll. A lot of people don’t even know if or when there will be an Open Enrollment Period. In fact, 76% of Americans didn’t know the dates for Open Enrollment in 2018 and the confusion continues.
 
Although some details of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are different now, you don’t have to fret–there will still be an Open Enrollment Period so you can get the coverage you need.

​Surveys show that most people who sign up for Medicare are overwhelmingly satisfied with their care. If you are eligible for Medicare but haven’t signed up yet, open enrollment for 2019 runs from October 15, 2018 to December 7, 2018. Now is the perfect time to talk to your Medicare broker in Santa Rosa about how you can enroll or make changes to your plan before open enrollment ends. 

​As a small business owner, you want to save money whenever possible while also taking care of your employees. Receiving the small business Small Business Health Care Tax Credit may be the only way you can afford to offer group insurance. Most small businesses may receive up to 50 percent of the premiums they pay, excluding non-profits which can get up to 35 percent. Either way, that’s a huge amount of money to get back. Here are the four requirements you must meet to qualify for the tax credit.

​The dates for Medicare Open Enrollment have stayed the same since 2011. The annual enrollment period for 2019 runs from October 15, 2018 to December 7, 2018. If you want to choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll need to enroll during this period. Even if you’re currently happy with your plan, it pays to look into your options. You may find a more affordable plan that suits your needs even better. Here are some things to remember during the fall enrollment period.