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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 Edward@croweand 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 Edward@croweand 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:

Life Insurance with major medical condition

It is possible to buy life insurance with major medical condition.  If the condition is severe, you should expect to pay more than someone without a major medical problem. The rate you pay will be a higher price, but you are still eligible.   Both Term and permanent life policies are available on a guaranteed issue basis.

To find out about what life insurance for those critical illness covers, how it works and why it might be right for you,contact our office at 203-796-5403. We work with many life insurance plans that will cover a number of major medical conditions.  These conditions include; heart disease, Diabetes, breast cancer and obesity as well as a number of other conditions.   Ideally, if the condition is not severe you may be able to apply for an underwritten life policy.  The lowest price policies require a medical. This is great; if you can get approval.  For those with a major health condition and other conditions, it may not be possible.  Those with server or multiple conditions should look at simplified or guaranteed issue plans.

Life Insurance with major medical condition: Simplified issue plans

Simplified issue plans do not require a health exam.  The applicant fills out an application with health questions.  The answers are verified by the insurance company checking a drug record or pulling the MIB.  If the client has a condition that is not severe, the insurance company will issue a plan.

Guaranteed issue life insurance:

These policies can be either term or permanent insurance.  Guaranteed issue means anyone can get the policy regardless of current health status.  To quote the lowest cost guaranteed issue term and permanent policy use the link provided below. This link will take you to our MEC99 site which can be used to get an instant quote.

In fact,  it can be very difficult to get guaranteed life insurance under the age of 40.   Our guaranteed issue policy is available to anyone from age 18 and over.

CLICK FOR INSTANT GUARANTEED ISSUE LIFE QUOTE

Life Insurance for Lupus Patients

It is possible to get life insurance for Lupus patients.

Term or permanent life insurance can be difficult to get with a history of lupus. This is due to the increased risks associated with the disease. However, it does mean someone with lupus cannot get coverage. It may cost more for a person with Lupus to get life insurance compared to someone without a health condition. The reality is if you have lupus there is a good chance that you will pay a higher premium rate for term or permanent life insurance.

They type of Lupus you have can determine how much more you need to pay for life insurance.  Everyone with Lupus can get a policy but the cost they will need to pay is the issue.

Types of Lupus

Discoid Lupus

This form of lupus affects only the skin and can cause rashes. It can go away and then come back. Discoid lupus is associates more with women than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 48. About 10 percent of people with discoid lupus,  progresses to systemic lupus.

Systematic Lupus

This kind of lupus can affect just about any part of the body.  The symptoms can be mild to severe and tend to come and go.  Common symptoms include painful joints, rash, fever, hair loss, loss of circulation, ulcers and major fatigue. 

Which type of insurance to apply for:

If someone has either Discoid Lupus and no other health complications or Lupus that has been dormant for many years, they can apply for a fully underwritten insurance policy.    Insurance carriers offer the best rates if you purchase a fully underwritten policy.  For those that have Systematic Lupus or Lupus with other health complications, they should apply for a simplified issue or guaranteed issue policy.  Call our office for more specific details.  We have included a link to our lowest cost guaranteed issue term and permanent life policies below.  You can click the link to get a quote and or apply. The link will take you to our MEC99 quote site which allows you to get an instant quote

Click for guaranteed term and permanent insurance quotes

Sign up for Medicare On Line

It is possible to sign up for Medicare on line. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Medicare, it is a government health insurance program.  Medicare is not only for people age 65 or older,  younger people who qualify as disabled and meet certain criteria may also use it. Signing up for Medicare does not have to be overwhelming.  You can sign up for Medicare on line, from your own computer!

What to know about applying for Medicare –

You have some choices to make when you sign up for Medicare.  When you are eligible, you can sign up for Part A, that’s hospital insurance and it is free. You are also eligible for Part B , that’s medical insurance.  Because you have to pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can decide not to take it. Although, if you change your mind and want to enroll in Part B after your initial enrollment, you could be charged a late enrollment penalty fee for the entire time you have Part B coverage.  The cost of this penalty will raise your coverage cost by 10 percent for every 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, and did not take it.  In some cases,you may avoid the penalty fee if,  you qualify for a special enrollment period.

If you are eligible to join Medicare at age 65, you basically have 6 months to enroll in Medicare.  The enrollment period starts three months before you  turn 65, that period includes the month you turn age 65. The enrollment period ends three months after your 65th birthday. However, if you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you will have the option to choose enrollment later.  Medicare part B offers a general enrollment each year to sign up, it starts on January 1  and ends on March 31. Your coverage go into effect on July 1 of the same year you enroll.

In fact, If you have Medicare you are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage.  This coverage does have a cost.   Although,  if you have limited income, you may qualify for help with either all or some of the plan cost.

 Sign up for Medicare on line:  CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE ON LINE

The Social Security administration works with CMS(Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services) by enrolling people in Medicare.  In fact, CMS is the agency that manages Medicare.

You can apply for Medicare on line, as soon as you are eligible. Click this link to get the online application to sign up for Medicare.  It will only  take a few minutes to complete. Once you complete the on line application and submit it, you’re all set. Normally, there is no documentation needed and there are no forms for you to sign. Once you submit your application, Social Security will process it.  Social Security will only contact you if  they need additional information. Once your application is processed all you have to do is wait for your Medicare card to come in the mail.

To find out what documents and information you need to apply, go to the Checklist For The Online Medicare, Retirement, And Spouses Application.

 Already have Medicare, you can save yourself time and get both information and services online.

If you are a Medicare Part A member and you decide to enroll in Medicare Part B, you can click the link and complete a form CMS 40-B.   This form is an application for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After you fill it out, just mail it to your local Social Security office.

Medicare Employer Information Form

Medicare Part A Coverage –

Are you working and Medicare eligible with insurance either through your own or your spouse’s employer?  If this is the case, you should consider taking Medicare Part A (hospital Insurance).  In most instances, there is no cost to you for the extra coverage Part A provides.  We have included a link at the bottom of the page with the Medicare Employer Information Form.  This form helps both you and your employer start your Medicare Part A coverage.

Should you take Medicare Part B coverage?

Before you sign up for Part B coverage there a few things you need to be aware of.  First of all, Part B is medical insurance, this coverage is not free and you will be charged a monthly premium.  You also need to know; when you are Medicare eligible your employer insurance may change to some extent. Check with your human resources department or benefit coordinator so they can explain any changes in coverage or concerns you have. You will also need to double check insurance information with the Social Security Administration and Medicare.

Health insurance is very important to us all.  You don’t want to make mistakes with your healthcare coverage, as that could be costly.  Each person has different needs, therefore it is entirely up to you to decide what coverage is best for you.  You also have to decide if the costs will be reasonable with regard to your coverage needs.

Primary and Secondary Insurance –

In fact, if you have primary insurance coverage with your employer, most likely you do not need Part B. If you are not satisfied with the coverage your employer provides, you may want to think about Part B coverage.  If you choose to add Medicare Part B to your employer insurance you need to find out which insurance will be primary and which one secondary.  Primary insurers will pay your approved medical claims first.

Secondary insurance will normally pay the part of your expenses left over after the primary has paid.  The amount secondary insurers pay can be either all or some of the unpaid balance. This amount may be the remaining 20% of the doctors fee after primary has paid.  If you are not enrolled in a primary insurance plan, but only a secondary plan, you will have little to no coverage.  When employer insurance becomes secondary you may be better off if you take Medicare both Parts A and B.

Enrollment Period

Medicare offers a Special Enrollment Period without penalty when you first qualify for coverage.  You may enroll in Medicare, without penalty, at any time while you have group health coverage. This enrollment period is also good for eight months after you lose your group health coverage or you (or your spouse) stop working, whichever comes first.

Sometimes your employee coverage will automatically move into a Medicare Advantage Plan (private health plan).  If you have health coverage from either a union, a current or a former employer when you become Medicare eligible.  You can keep the Medicare  Advantage Plan or switch to either Original Medicare or a different Medicare Advantage Plan.  You should know that if you switch plans, Your employer or union could lessen or even terminate your health benefits or the benefits of your dependents.  Discuss any healthcare plan changes you may want with your employer or union to make sure your coverage is safe.

Click the link below for the employer medicare Forms.

Employer Medicare Forms