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Obamacare Alternatives in CT

Today’s health insurance market has many looking for Obamacare alternatives in CT.

The federal government requires both Individuals and families to enroll in a qualified health plan.   In fact, those people who choose not to enroll will be subject to a tax penalty.

Access Health CT is the health insurance exchange for the state of Connecticut.  It is also called the state health insurance marketplace.  This site offers insurance options for every individual.  Although, some may qualify for reduced premiums, others may not.  Individuals as well as families looking for coverage outside of  Access Health will want to be sure that the option chosen meets the criteria to avoid a tax penalty.   Below are some options to explore.

Individuals not qualifying for a premium subsidy may choose to purchase traditional insurance directly from an insurance company.  Click here to learn about traditional health insurance plans available in CT.

Another option would be to enroll in a health share plan.  These are not traditional insurance plans, but do work in a similar fashion.  Individuals and families enrolled in a health share plan are exempt from the tax penalty.  Click here to learn more about Altrua Health Share plans.

A third option applies to self-employed  business owners.  Click here to learn more about low cost health insurance plans available in CT.

No matter which route you choose, Crowe and Associates offers the expertise required to navigate the process.  We can answer your questions and advise you which option is best suited for you and your family.  Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 203-796-5403 to schedule a personal and confidential evaluation.

Guaranteed acceptance term and permanent life insurance

If you are unsure about acceptance for life insurance, we have the answer for you!  It is called Guaranteed acceptance term and permanent life insurance.

We list below some of the differences between guaranteed acceptance term insurance and permanent life insurance

Applying for Medicare in Connecticut

This post will try and give you some help when you are applying for Medicare in Connecticut.  This can be overwhelming for some people.  We want to make it easy for you.  If you are 65 years old, or are under 65 and qualify for Medicare because of a disability or other special circumstance, you are eligible for Medicare.  (Note:  You must be a US citizen or a legal resident for at least 5 consecutive years to be eligible for Medicare.)

Apply for Medicare can be done online by CLICKING HERE.  You can also enroll by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE.  Or, you can enroll in person at your local social security office.  You can call 1-800-772-1213 for help locating your local social security office.

Click here for more details regarding choosing a Medicare plan in CT.

UnitedHealthOne Dental Plans

Crowe and Associates is offering it’s clients the opportunity to purchase Dental insurance with UnitedHealthOne Dental Plans, so you will have one less thing to worry about.  The dental plans we are offering are either a PPO or an EPO.  When it comes to finding dental coverage that fits your unique needs and budget the UnitedHealthOne Dental Plan gives you the coverage you need at a price you can afford.  The newly expanded dental products have many features that will keep you smiling.

There are 4 new plan types to choose from.

UnitedHealthOne provides coverage for preventative and basic as well as major services.

Vision benefits are also available, if you want to add that option.

Additionally, you will have access to an extensive dental network.

The PPO plan is in the Solstice PPO Network and is available in all 50 states.

The EPO plan is the S500A network and is only available in NY, NY, CT and FL.

Please click on the links below for more information on the dental plans we are offering.

 Brochure CT Dental for Individuals and families UnitedHealthOne

Dental Application Individuals and Families CT UnitedHealthOne

Brochure for 50 and over- CT UnitedHealthOne

Dental 50+ Application CT UnitedHealthOne

If you have any questions or would like to enroll in one of these plans, please either call us at (203)796-5403 or email us at [email protected] associates.com.

Short Term Medical Plans

The information in this post will help clients who may need Short Term Medical Plans. UnitedHealthOne is offering short term coverage for anyone who finds themselves without insurance.

Short Term health insurance is sometimes called either Term health insurance or Temporary health insurance. This type of insurance is made to bridge gaps in your health care coverage  when you find yourself without insurance for any reason.

United Hospital Indemnity Plan

Because of the high cost of medical care, especially a hospital stay,  we are now offering our clients the United Hospital Indemnity Plan.

Both the Hospital SafeGuard PremierSM  plan and the Hospital SafeGuardSM  plan can help fill some of the gaps in your health coverage.
These plans provide cash to help you pay both the deductible and non-covered expenses you incur from a hospital stay.

When you choose either a Hospital SafeGuard PremierSM or  a Hospital SafeGuardSM plan:
You will receive benefit payments that you can use in any way you choose. There are many options, you could either save them, pay medical bills, or even pay expenses you incur because you are away from your job.  The payment is not limited by provider networks.  Your payment remaine the same no matter which provider you use.  In fact, you will not have to meet any deductible before you receive payment.  These plans are available to your whole family. The plans are guaranteed renewable up to the age of 65.

Would a hospital stay be a financial burden to you or your family?

Did you know that the average length of a hospital stay in 2010 was almost 5 days?  The cost for inpatient care  per day was almost as high as $2,000.
This large expense could have lasting effects on your family’s budget and cause some people a real hardship.
Hospital SafeGuard PremierSM or Hospital SafeGuardSM pay you cash benefits for eligible hospital inpatient as well as ICU admittance.  These plans are not a replacement for your regular health insurance. You can  purchase these plans to have that extra safeguard against unforeseen illnesses.

Both plans are easy to use.

If at any time you receive qualified medical care,  all you have to do is, fill out the claim form, your carrier provides you.  Submit the forms along with copies of your receipts. Your carrier will then send you a reimbursement check for the fixed amount as long as they do not exceed the calendar year maximum.

Please note, You must have ACA minimum essential coverage to qualify for either Hospital SafeGuard PremierSM or Hospital SafeguardSM.
If you decide to purchase Hospital SafeGuard PremierSM, you may be disqualified from making tax-deductible contributions to a Health Savings Account. Check with your accountant to be sure about the current tax laws.

Please click on the links below for more information or an application.

Hospital SafeGuard Premier Plan Information

Hospital Safeguard CT Application

UnitedHealthOne Vision

Crowe and Associates is offering clients  a vision plan called UnitedHealthOne Vision. The Vision plan offered is Davis Vision and it is available in all 50 States.

Your eyes are the windows to your health.  Eye exams can help your doctor maintain your vision with the use of either glasses or contact lenses.  They can also detect health conditions such as, glaucoma and  diabetic eye disease as well as high blood pressure and cholesterol.  Keep your vision clear by signing up for  a United Healthcare vision plan. Get the coverage you need for eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, with no waiting period.

There is a $10.00 copay for in-network eye exams.  They cover both glasses and contact lenses once a year.  There are no age restrictions for these plans.

Connecticut Rates:

• Plan A monthly premium rates: $11.40 for primary insurance, additional $7.20 per month for each dependent.
• Plan B monthly premium rates: $15.70 for primary insured, additional $9.90 per month for each dependent.

If you would like more information about the vision plans, please click on the link below.

United Health Care – Vision Only Brochure

If you would like to either enroll in a plan or speak about this further, please call Ed Crowe at (203) 796-5403 or email at [email protected] associates.com.

Petersen Short Term Health Insurance

Because sometimes life is unpredictable, you may find yourself suddenly without health insurance coverage. For that reason, we now offer Petersen Short Term Health Insurance  plans to our clients.

This Short Term Medical plan is designed to be as easy to use as possible.   There are no co-pays and you do not need to have coinsurance. When you sign up for the plan you simply fill out a one page application. You will not have to answer any medical questions. Each policy is designated per person for both the maximum and  the deductible, for each policy period. There deductibles range from either $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or up to $5,000. The insurance policies can go into effect as soon as the day after you submit your application.  The policies give clients a maximum policy period of 3 months.  This is the longest term available for Short Term Medical coverage.  Because the monthly premiums are so affordable for the Short Term Medical plan, anyone can get quality healthcare.

If you would like to apply for Petersen Short Term Medical Health Insurance please click the link below

Click here to download  brochure for Short Term Medical

Petersen Short Term Health  Application

Medicare Part D Income Penalty 2017

This post will explain the Medicare Part D Income Penalty 2017.

The cost of your Medicare Part D coverage will go up if, you reported an adjusted gross income of over $85,000. for a single person on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago.  For couples, your cost rises if the income you reported on your IRS tax return two years ago equaled more than $170,000. The income that Medicare uses to assess your Part D cost is your adjusted gross income as well as any other type of tax-exempt income you may have.

In fact, The rate you pay will change according to how high your income level is. The more income you have, the higher your premium for Part D coverage will rise.  Your normal part D plan premium payment will stay the same and you will continue to use the same payment method.  Medicare will automatically deduct any additional premium charges you receive directly from your Social Security check.  Medicare will send you a bill only if the additional premium amount is more than your Social Security check.

The additional premium uses a calculation that starts with the national base beneficiary premium of $35.63 for 2017. Below we have listed some examples of the rise in premium cost levels for Part D. The examples will help you figure out how much more you will pay for Part D coverage in 2017. Additional costs will not apply unless, your income is above the specified amounts.

 Additional premium costs for Medicare Part D in 2017, as calculated by income level as follows: