Special Enrollment Periods (SEP's) for health insurance can be provided to individual consumers who experience changes in their life circumstances outside of the annual open enrollment period such as; loss of employer health plan, marriage, divorce, or other events.  Consumes who have an SEP have 60 days to enroll in a qualified health plan or make changes to their current plans.

  

If you qualify for a special enrollment period, then you may be able to enroll in a qualified health plan for the remainder of 2018!

• See if you can still get 2018 health coverage!
• Reporting Income and Household Changes After you are Enrolled

 

• Disability Insurance Improves Financial Wellness
• The Crisis of Disability Coverage in America
• Employers; Why Offer Disability Insurance?

Whether you're new to Medicare, getting ready to turn 65, or preparing to retire, you'll need to make several important decisions about your health coverage. If you wait to enroll in a Medicare plan, you may have to pay a penalty, and you may have a gap in coverage. Use these steps to gather information so you can make informed decisions about your Medicare:

• Learn about the different parts of Medicare A, B, C, D
• Find out when you can get Medicare
• Decide if you want Part A & B
• Review your options and choose your coverage
• Read more about these topics at Medicare.gov here

• Medicare.gov
• Medicare Part B & Part D costs
• Medicare Part B & Part D costs for those with high income
• Medicare online plan comparison
• Medicare consumer publications web site
• Social Security Administration

Medicare eligibility usually begins on the first day in which you turn age 65, but Medicare may start earlier, if you are disabled.  We have licensed and certified agents available to help you review your options, answer your questions, help with your enrollment, and provide assistance during the year. 

 

The 2019 individual open enrollment will be here soon.  We expect Open Enrollment to run from November 1st through December 15th for plan start dates starting January 1st.  

During Open Enrollment period, each individual health insurance consumer should review their options and re-enroll in the plan that meets their health needs and budget.  Each year, there are usually changes in rates, options, provider networks, and possibly new member restrictions or responsibilities to help keep costs down.  We have the following process to help you complete review and enrollment;

• First Look!  2019 Oregon Health Insurance Rate Requests have been filed. You have until June 10, 2018 to offer your comments.

 

There is increasing enrollment in the Health Savings Account Health Plans, among individual health insurance consumers.  There has been lower interest in HSA's for small or large employers, who prefer to continue with mostly copay PPO plans or HMO's. 

HSA health plans usually provide no cost in-network preventive care coverage, with all other care and pharmacy subject to the plan deductible, and out of pocket maximum.  HSA health plans can be a good fit for those with low health needs, and higher than average income.  The HSA Silver can also be a good choice if someone knows that they will meet their out of pocket maximum for the coming year. 

The HSA Health plan allows consumers on HSA health plans, to set up a Health Savings Account at their bank, or a bank we recommend called H S A Bank.  With an HSA savings accounts, single consumers can deposit up to $3,500 for 2019 with the family deposit maximum of $7,000 for 2019.  A catchup contribution of $1,000 may be allowed for those over age 55 and older.  The deposit are tax deductible as long as the money is spent on a wide range of eligible expenses.  A partial list of approved IRS expenses is here.

• Individual consumers;  Sign up for a Health Savings Account at HSA Bank here
   
• Employers; Sign up for a group health savings account plan at HSA Bank here

We offer assistance with setup and customer service for your HSA savings accounts.  Contact us if you need assistance.