Volume 2, Number 7
Monthly News On Products Promoting Healthcare Cost Transparency And Healthy Living Tips
IN THIS ISSUE...

  • ACA-QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE TO SHORT- TERM MEDICAL PLANS INTRODUCED
  • ELEVEN NUMBERS TO KNOW FOR 2019
  • WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
This monthly newsletter contains information about medical cost sharing programs as well as health insurance plans offered through insurance companies that promote healthcare cost transparency. It provides information about tools designed to maintain or regain your health, articles on health and wellness, and information on complementary and integrative health. It also contains information on other cost-transparent products and services you can purchase or utilize to supplement either your medical cost sharing program or your insured health insurance plan.
ACA-QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE TO SHORT- TERM MEDICAL PLANS INTRODUCED
Individuals who aren’t interested in medical cost sharing (or who can’t qualify for and/or can’t afford Affordable Care Act plans) are limited to purchasing short-term medical plans or limited benefit defined benefit plans.  

Short-term medical plans have limitations because they generally don’t provide outpatient prescription drug benefits, preventive care, and in most situations provide coverage only after the deductible is met. They also aren’t offered in all states (California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington don’t permit short-term plans), some other states place significant limitations on short-term medical plans, and some short-term carriers don’t offer plans in some states that permit such plans. 

Short-term medical plans usually require an individual to pass underwriting questions to qualify for the plan and require underwriting if a person desires to renew the plan after the policy term expires. Short-term medical plans can be written only for a maximum of 364 days (lesser periods in a number of states).

We’ve just become aware of a plan that offers minimum essential coverage (“MEC”) that complies with the Affordable Care Act, provides preventive care coverage, includes benefits like office visit co-pays and hospitalization coverage, has no deductible, and a $3,150 individual and $12,700 family out-of-pocket maximum.  This plan requires the subscriber to answer medical underwriting questions when first purchasing the policy, but the plan is offered on a continuing basis and, unlike short-term medical policies, does not require the individual to answer an additional set of underwriting questions as a condition for continuing the plan.

Premiums are 35 to 50% lower than for off-Marketplace Affordable Care Act plans, and the plan uses one of the largest PHCS networks. The plan is designed for single individuals making $35,000 or over (and higher amounts for families) and who qualify either for small or no advance premium tax credits (subsidies).

Here is a video of an advertisement that will begin to be offered nationally shortly.

Here is a copy of the plan brochure.

We’ve been appointed to sell this plan, and can write this plan in all 50 states and DC. Please call us at 561-734-3884 or 877-734-3884 or email us at pcholak@mpoweringbenefits.net for details and to enroll in this plan.
ELEVEN NUMBERS TO KNOW FOR 2019
Here are 11 important contribution number limits to know for 2019. Some of these numbers have changed from 2018 and all will be effective January 1.
Numbers that have changed from 2018 have been asterisked. Some of these numbers apply to individual and employer plans and some apply only to plans that can be offered only by employers.

Health Savings Account Contributions and Deductible Limits
 
  • $3,500*: annual contribution limits for individual HSA accounts--increase of $50 from 2018
  •  $7,000*: annual contribution limits for family HSA accounts--increase of $100 from 2018
  • $1,000: HSA catch-up limits for individual and family HSA plans (must be 55 or over)—no change
  •  $1,350: minimum deductible allowed for a health savings account-qualified high deductible health plan—no change
  • $2,700: minimum deductible allowed for a health savings account-qualified high deductible health plan—no change
  • $6,750*: maximum out of pocket limit for a health savings account-qualified high deductible health plan—increase of $100 from 2018
  • $13,500*: maximum out-of-pocket limit for a health savings account-qualified high deductible health plan—increase of $200 from 2018

 Note: the above four numbers have already been recognized in the design of 2019 ACA and employer high deductible health plans.
 
Annual IRA Contribution Limits
 
  • $6,000*:  first increase since 2013. The catch-up limit for people 50 and over will still be $1,000

Annual 401(K) Plan Contribution Limits
 
  •  $19,000*: 401(K), (403(b) and most 457 plans. This limit also applies to the Federal Government’s thrift savings plan
  •  $6,000:  401(K) catch-up contribution limits for participants 50 and over

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
 
  • $2,700*:  FSA contribution limit ($50 increase from 2018). Also applies to limited purpose FSA’s that are restricted to dental and vision care services which can be used in tandem with HSA accounts
 
Read the entire article here .
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure—mainly the spine—and its functioning. Data from the 2017 National Health Interview survey indicate that 10.3% of U.S. adults and 3.4% of U.S. children had received care from a chiropractor in the previous year.
 
Most research on chiropractic has focused on  spinal manipulation , a core treatment in chiropractic care, but this technique is not synonymous with chiropractic. Chiropractors commonly use other treatments as well, and other health care providers, such as physical therapists or osteopathic physicians, may use spinal manipulation.
About Paul Cholak
Paul Cholak is the Principal of Control Your Healthcare Costs, LLC (dba Control Your Healthcare Costs) and is an endorsed vendor of the Free Market Medical Association, which promotes transparency in healthcare costs and programs. He's also a Partner/Supporter of the Direct Primary Care Coalition, which promotes the direct primary care provider concept.

He constantly seeks to find new and innovative products that incorporate transparency and focus on reducing costs of the total healthcare bill.

He's a National Healthcare Advisor for  M Powering Benefits , a Certified Affiliate with Sedera Health, and is also appointed by insurance carriers who offer insured products that promote healthcare transparency (for example Health Indemnity insurance).

He offers or refers you to medical cost sharing and insured healthcare products on either an individual, association, or group basis, as applicable, that promote healthcare cost transparency and can result in significant overall healthcare savings to participants. He guides you through the steps of obtaining membership in the applicable program and is always available to help you both BEFORE and AFTER you've enrolled.
Stay Connected
Contact Us
Local: 561-734-3884
 Toll-free: 877-734-3884
pcholak@controlyourhealthcarecosts.com