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Minimum Coverage Health Insurance for Individuals

The following post contains information about Minimum Coverage Health Insurance for Individuals.  If this is the type of insurance you would like to purchase, please use the information below to help you make an informed decision.

Medicare Savings Program Changes CT 2018

In this post we give you some valuable information about the Medicare Savings Program Changes CT 2018.  We realize many of you may be confused about all the recent news of changes in eligibility and income limits.  Please note: the effective date of any changes in this program has been extended until July 1, 2018 in the state of Connecticut.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are put in place to help the Medicare beneficiary pay their Part B premium.  In some instances, MSPs help beneficiaries pay for Part A premiums.  Usually, Part A is free, although if either the beneficiary or their spouse has not worked enough, he or she will need to pay the Part A premium.

Just to recap:

The program is not going to change until July 1, 2018. In the event that the income limits are lowered and that results in the loss of your QMB status, DSNP members will still have 90 days before you are dropped from the program. If you are being dropped you will receive a letter that explains this to you.  If yo do lose your QMB Status you will no longer qualify for protection of balance bills.  This means that you will be responsible for these bills as of the date that you lose your QMB coverage.

Each year in March the income limits for the MSP Program are reviewed, and usually raised.  This will not change the fact that the state is going to fund the program until at least July 1.

Click here to learn more about the different levels of help and Husky vs Medicaid

These following income limits are effective in March 2018:

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary):
Pays both Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and co-insurances.
QMB income limits (211% FPL):
Single person – $2,135.32/month (previously $2120.55)
Married couple – $2,894.92/month (previously $2854.83)

There is no asset limit for people who receive benefits from this program.

To Apply: You can download an application form in either English or Spanish, CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION.

Applicants may also apply by going to the Connecticut Department of Social Services office for their town.

National General Short Term Health Plans

If you find yourself in need of a short-term health care plan you should look into National General Short Term Health Plans.  Short term health insurance is major medical insurance that you purchase for a defined period of time.  In most cases the monthly premium is lower than other major medical health insurance coverage.  There are other advantages to purchasing short-term health insurance beside the price.  There are also no open enrollment restrictions on these plans, that means you can apply for coverage anytime. You will receive notification within minutes if your application is approved. You can use your coverage the day after you are approved.

Life can sometimes throw you a curve ball, if this happens you don’t want to be caught without insurance coverage. Spending any time without insurance coverage can be a little risky.  National General’s Short Term Health Plans give you the safety net you need for those unpredictable times.  These plans give you protection from unexpected medical bills and health care expenses for things such as:

• Doctor visits and some preventive care
• Emergency room and ambulance coverage
• Urgent care benefits, and more

You can click on this link  for the Aetna PPO Network Provider Lookup for Short Term Medical: (search using the Open Choice PPO Network)

This coverage is great for people who:

• need to bridge the open enrollment gap
• have recently graduated from college
• Are either part-time or temporary employees
• Do not have adequate health insurance coverage
• May be between jobs or have been laid-off
• Are waiting for employer benefits to start

National General Short Term Health Plans Offer:

• Coverage Period Maximum of $250,000 and $1,500,000
• Deductible options from $1,000, $2,500, or up to $5,000
• Coinsurance Percentage of In-Network plan 100/0, 80/20, 70/30, and 50/50
• Both Doctor Office Visit as well as an Urgent Care Co-pay of $50

Why should you join a National General Short Term Health Plan?

1. These plans are generally far more affordable than an ACA plan,  even after you consider the tax penalty.
   In the event that you do not qualify  for Obamacare plan subsidies, you will be stuck paying very high premiums.  For instance, A 29-year-old woman making $33,000 annually in South Florida will pay about $2,200 each year for a bronze-level Obamacare plan.   On the other hand,  she could purchase four short-term plans back-to-back for less than $500 a year.  Even after you add in tax penalty of $695, she will still save over $1,000 per year. The plans have a comparable deductible.
2.  You will still be eligible to join an ACA plan in the event that you develop a condition that prevents you from reapplying for a Short Term Health Insurance plan.
   Affordable Care Act health plans cannot deny coverage for pre-existing conditions therefore, you will be eligible to join an ACA plan during open enrollment.
3.  Short Term Health Insurance is Flexible.   Did you know that the ACA requires every plan to cover 10 essential health benefits.  These benefits include maternity services.  This means that a  single male with an ACA plan will have maternity coverage that he can never use.  Short-term health insurance covers services that a healthy member is more likely to actually use.
4.  There is No Annual Open Enrollment Period for these plans.  In fact, you can enroll in a plan anytime you need one.  In contrast, you cannot purchase an Obamacare plan if you do not sign up during the short, six-week Open Enrollment Period.  Unless you meet certain criteria for a special enrollment period.

If you have any questions, please contact us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at edward@croweandassociates.com.  We will be happy to go over your options for insurance coverage.

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MetLife Dental Plans

MetLife dental plans are available through MetLife TakeAlong Dental.  TakeAlong dental is a PPO dental program that offers coverage to both you and your family.  Three PPO plan designs are currently available to choose from.  All three plans have affordable monthly premiums and a large network of participating providers.  The MetLife dental plans offer you a number of benefits…

CLICK HERE TO QUOTE PLANS

Having the right Dental insurance can protect you and your family from unexpected dental expenses! MetLife TakeAlong Dental offers comprehensive coverage today and in the future, even through different stages of your life.

CLICK HERE TO QUOTE AND ENROLL

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Aetna Medicare OTC Catalog

This post will give clients who have insurance through an Aetna Medicare plan a clear picture of which items are in the Aetna Medicare OTC Catalog.

For those individuals who have either an Aetna or Coventry Medicare plan, their benefits include an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit.  This benefit allows members to order
approved OTC items every month.

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED; CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION

Some information about this benefit:

The OTC benefit gives you an easy way to receive generic over-the-counter health and wellness products by mail.
All you need to do is, place an order using the list of approved OTC items and Aetna will mail them directly to your home.  It is that easy.
Here are the program rules:
1.  Clients can place only one order per month.  This can be either less than or equal to their approved benefit amount.
2.  They will receive the generic (non branded) equivalent of all chosen items.
3.  If you do not use the benefits, they will not be rolled over from one month to another.
4.  The items you choose to order are for the members use only.
5.  It is prohibited to order OTC items for use by either family members or friends.

LOOKING TO COMPARE MEDICARE PLANS- call our office at 203-796-5403 or email admin@croweandassociates.com

With this benefit members are able to buy specific, approved generic OTC products.  These products are not covered by either Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D.  It will benefit members to keep this list handy.  If you use this program, it can save you money on certain items that normally you would have to pay out of pocket for.   If you would like to view a copy of the Aetna Medicare OTC Catalog, click the following link:  Aetna OTC Catalog .

There are 2 ways for members to order supplies:

You can order either by phone 1-888-628-2770 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 9a.m. until 5p.m., or you can order online at order.otchs.com.

Aetna Medicare offers members  PDP, HMO and PPO plans with a Medicare contract. Aetna’s SNPs catalog are also contracted with State Medicaide programs.  Enrollment in these plans depends upon contract renewal.  Members can contact their individual plans for more benefit details.  Limitations, co-payments as well as restrictions may apply.  Benefits are subject to change on January 1st of every year.  Plan features as well as availability may differ depending on the members service area.

Agents- Click here for a Medicare Scope of Appointment

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEDICARE PLAN?  CALL US TO GET THE ANSWERS 203-796-5403 or send an email to teal@croweandassociates.com.

If you would like to get a quote for a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan, CLICK HERE