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Short Term Health Insurance Connecticut

Crowe and Associates would like to offer our clients some information about the Short Term Health Insurance Connecticut.  We want you to be aware of all you options when you are trying to decide what type of insurance is the best choice for you and your family. There is now a short term health insurance plan available to people in Connecticut.

HCC offers a well priced short term health insurance plan

This plan can run for up to 11 months to members.  This plan is a great option for college students and anyone that wants insurance but missed the enrollment deadline for the Affordable Care act plans. It is also a great option for those that are 64 years of age and need a plan to carry them over until they are Medicare eligible.  Plans can be purchased for as little as one month up to a maximum of 12 months.  Enrollment in the plan is done online in about 10 minutes for those that want to apply.  The plan has the following features…

• Choose from deductible levels of $250 to $7,500
• You purchase this plan on a month by month basis for a maximum of 11 months
• 5 general health questions on the application
• Online enrollment
• Premiums up to 70% lower than standard health insurance plans
• Coverage can begin the day after applying
• In fact, Anyone can apply for this insurance coverage

We have provided a link below that will allow you to quote rates as well as enroll in a plan of your choice.  If you have any questions, please feel free to either call our office at 203-796-5403 or email us at Edward@croweandassociates.com.  We are always happy to help you with any insurance needs that you may  have.  We want you to feel confident with your insurance coverage choices.

CLICK FOR ONLINE RATES AND ENROLLMENT LINK

Affordable Care Act Enrollment And Plan Changes

We want to make sure everyone is aware of both the Affordable Care Act Enrollment And Plan Changes. Affordable Care Act plans (Also called Obama Care) are those purchased through the Connecticut Exchange via the Access Health Website.   A premium subsidy is only available to those who enroll through the Access health site.  Anthem , Connecticare and Healthy Partners are the three insurance companies available through the exchange.   People that enrolled outside of the exchange are not eligible for any type of premium help.  For those that did enroll via the exchange there rules regarding new enrollments and plan changes for existing members.

New Enrollments–

The general period for someone to register and enroll in a plan through the Access Health site ended on March 31, 2014. The site does not accept new enrollments for the remainder of the year.  A new enrollment window will open in October of 2014.  This will allow new members to apply for a January 1, 2015 start date.

Special Election Period–

Additionally, some people are allowed to enroll in a plan outside of the enrollment period.  This is true if they have a special election reason to do so.  Special elections reasons include, losing group health insurance or an individual health plan during the year, moving to a different state, a change in Medicaid or Husky status and losing COBRA benefits.

Plan Change for existing members–

In fact, Existing members are not allowed to make a plan change outside of the normal enrollment period. This is true, unless they qualify for one of the special election periods above.  A doctor who decides to no longer accept or participate with a Affordable Care Act plan during the year is not a valid reason to make a plan change.

Crowe and Associates is here to help you.  Call us if you have any questions about health insurance.  Please contact us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at Edward@croweandassociates.com.

Health Reform Plan Questions and Answers Connecticut

Here are some  Health Reform Plan Questions and Answers Connecticut.  These are some of the more common questions that we get on a daily basis.  The questions are regarding health reform plans in Connecticut.  If you have questions that are not on this list, need a quote or want to enroll, please feel free to either call us at 203-796-5403 or send an email to Edward@croweandassociates.com

Question:  What is the difference between Obama Care and the health exchange in Connecticut?

Answer:  They are the same.  Different names clients use to describe buying insurance through the exchange or also know as “Obama Care”.

Question: Can I get help paying for my premiums?

Answer:  Yes, if you purchase a plan through the exchange and meet the income requirements. You can not get help with your premiums off the exchange.

Question:  Can anyone get insurance through the exchange?

Answer:  Yes,  anyone can apply and get a plan.  Not everyone can get help with the premium however.  The exchange will base that decision on your annual income.

Question:  Are there are underwriting/health question on or off the exchange?

Answer:  No.  In fact, health questions are not allowed on or off the exchange.  You can not be denied for any health condition after January 1, 2014.

Question:  I applied for a health reform plan and then received a notice saying I was denied for Husky.  What does this mean?

Answer:  It is only applicable to you if you actually applied for Husky. If you applied for a standard health reform plan, the notice is not applicable to you and has nothing to do with your enrollment.

Question:  How do I know if my doctor participates in the health reform plan I want to enroll in?

Answer:  There is a doctor search function on the Access Health website.     CLICK HERE FOR THE SITE.      After you receive a quote, there will be a button to hit in order to check doctors for each plan.

Question:  Are the networks for the Exchange plans the same as the networks off the Exchange?

Answer: NO- they are different. Don’t assume you doctor is in the network just because he or she was in network on your old plan.

Question:  How do they determine how much I pay for coverage?

Answer:  The exchange will base the amount you pay on both your age and gender.  Although, the biggest influence on  your rate is the amount of subsidy you receive.  The Subsidy you receive is determined by the amount of income you enter when you get a quote.

Health Reform Plan Enrollment Help Connecticut

This post will explain some things about Health Reform Plan Enrollment Help Connecticut.  Crowe and Associates is an insurance agency that works with clients to help them find the best health reform plan available.  We provide quotes to clients, review the options as well as discuss plan benefits. During this process we point out the different plan types (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and  the companies that are offering them.   It is also important to take the clients situation into consideration when selecting a plan.  This can include but is not limited to checking doctor participation as well as coverage of specific medications.  There are many factors to weigh when choosing the best health care plan for you.  This is a very personal decision and includes things such as cost and amount of coverage you feel you need.

Once you choose a plan

We guide clients through the enrollment process on the Access Health website from start to finish.  This includes guidance on the steps to take once the online enrollment has been completed.   At times it may be to a clients advantage to shop for a plan off the exchange.   When this is the case, we are able to quote and enroll in any available off exchange plan as well.

We do not charge any type of fee for our services.  The insurance carriers pay us a commission directly and your monthly premiums are the same whether you work with our agency or not.    The commissions we receive are level which means we are paid the same regardless of the insurance company you choose or the amount of premium you pay.

If you need a quote or would like help enrolling in a plan you may either call our office at 203-796-5403 or email us at Edward@croweandassociates.com.    If you would like to come to our office, please contact us for an appointment.  Our address is…

Crowe and Associates

304 Federal Road, Suite 107

Brookfield, CT 06804

Access Health Reform Plans Connecticut

This post has some information about the Access Health Reform Plans Connecticut.  Access Health is the administrator of health reform plans through the Exchange in Connecticut.  They administer as well as oversee the enrollment process for those applying for a health reform plan through the health exchange. (Also known as Obama Care) Anyone can apply for insurance through the exchange but not all people are eligible for a premium subsidy.

This post will provide an overview of health reform plans, the enrollment process and premium subsidies in Connecticut. Please note this information is only applicable to Connecticut and is not applicable to any other state.

If you need a quote, want to enroll or have questions not addressed in this blog CLICK HERE   or call us at 203-796-5403

Health Exchange Plans – Important Things To Know

• Three companies participate in the Individual Exchange. They are Anthem BCBS, Conneticare and Healthy CT.
• You must go through the Access Health Website in order to apply for a plan through the exchange.   www.accesshealthct.com
• Premium subsidies are available to those that make below the income thresholds.  Premium subsidy simply means the Government/state will pay a portion of your monthly premium.
• These premium subsidies are only available to those on the Exchange
• The lower the applicants 2014 income, the higher the monthly subsidy they will receive. (Rates are based on your 2014 income)
• If income falls below minimum levels, the applicant and/or dependents may be placed on Husky A,B,C or D

Network Information

• The networks for the plans participating are NOT the same as their networks off the exchange.  For example:  You can not assume you doctor participates with Anthem on the Exchange just because he/she participated with Anthem off the Exchange.
• The Husky A and B network (Children enroll in A and B) has many more providers than Husky C and D (Adults enroll in C and D)

Enrollment Information

• You must apply through the Access Health website in order to apply for a plan on the exchange.
• Married couples must file a joint return in order to be eligible for a subsidy.
• Income will be verified in 2015.  If you under report your income, you may need to either pay back a portion or all of the income subsidy that you receive during the year.

If you need a quote, want to enroll or have questions not addressed in this blog either CLICK HERE ,  call us at 203-796-5403 or email us at Edward@croweandassociates.com.

Applying For Health Insurance In Connecticut

This post will give you information about Applying For Health Insurance In Connecticut.  Connecticut residents that do not have access to health insurance through an employer have two choices to obtain Care.  They can either apply for coverage through the health exchange or they can apply with an insurance company outside of the exchange.   Which option is better?  It depends on your specific situation but the following points below should help guide you.

Applying on the Exchange-

Applying through the Exchange is the only way to determine if you are eligible for a premium subsidy.   Subsidies are not available outside of the exchange.  In Connecticut, Access Health runs the exchange.  They run the application website, determine subsidy levels as well as send enrollment information to the carriers.   The Exchange will determine the amount you receive for your premium subsidy by using your annual 2014 Adjusted Gross Income as a base.  The income level increases for every additional family member.  For Example, a single person making $50,000 a year is not eligible for a subsidy but if they have a spouse and the total family income is $50,000 they would be eligible.  Pre-existing health conditions are not taken into consideration when applying.

Applying off the Exchange- 

A number of companies offer plans off the exchange such as Aetna, Connecticare, Anthem BCBS, United Healthcare and Cigna.  Premium subsidies are not available off the exchange. Medical underwriting is not allowed which means they can not decline someone or raise a persons rates due to poor health.   In general the rates off the exchange are similar to the rates on the exchange. However, the on exchange rates are dramatically lower for those that qualify for a premium subsidy.   One advantage of applying off the exchange is that it provides access to a larger physician network.

If you would like help with a quote or applying on or off the exchange, please give us a call at 203-796 5403  or by email at Edward@croweandassociates.com.  We do not charge any type of fee for the service.   Your rates will not change if you decide to work with us.

Health Reform Companies Connecticut

This post will give you some information about Health Reform Companies Connecticut.  There are three companies participating with the health exchange in Connecticut as of January 1, 2014.  They are as follows,  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Connecticare as well as Healthy CT.   Anthem and Connecticare have both been operating in Connecticut for many years.  Healthy CT is a new not for profit that is run by the State of Connecticut.

All three companies offer Bronze, Silver as well as Gold plans in the state of Connecticut. Because the benefits these companies offer are standardized by the insurance industry, they  must all have consistent plan designs. This helps  to make your decision a little easier. You just have to see which arrier offers the best pricing and used the providers you prefer .  There has been some discussion about Platinum level plans but they are not available in Connecticut this year.  Although United Healthcare does not participate in the individual exchange,  they are available through the small groups exchange however.  (Small Group Exchange is called SHOP Exchange)

Access Health operates The Connecticut Exchange.   They also operate the website that clients use in order to apply for the plans.  Access Health will also determine if applicants are eligible for a subsidy to help them pay for their coverage.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE ON AND OFF THE EXCHANGE IN CT

If you have any questions, you may either email our office at Edward@Croweandassociates.com or call us at 203-796-5403.  We are here to help you make the right choice for your insurance needs.  Each person has  both different financial as well as health care needs.  Crowe and Associates wants to make you feel confident with your choice of health care options.

Aetna Health Insurance Quotes Online

This post will give clients a way to get Aetna Health Insurance Quotes Online.  Aetna has lowered their health insurance rates.  This gives them a substantial rate advantage over most other health carriers.   They offer a number of copay based plans that provide up front coverage for doctors visits with the need to pay a deductible first.   A quote engine has been provided through this blog that allows anyone to obtain a quote on their own. You may also apply for coverage through this same link if you choose.

CLICK HERE FOR AETNA HEALTH QUOTES

Note:  After you click the link, you are taken to the Crowe and Associates website.  Click on the “Aetna Health” link on the right hand side.  This link will take you directly to the Aetna quote engine.  Once you are on the Aetna quote engine, you enter any data that Aetna requires.  Afterwords, Aetna will give you a quote for the cost of each plan you choose.  When you have completed this step you can make an informed decision as to which plan is best for your needs.

If you prefer to use a paper application you may obtain it here:

CLICK HERE FOR AETNA HEALTH PAPER APPLICATION.    Once you have finished filling out your paper application, you can submit it to our office.  You can submit application to our office  either via fax at (203)567-6235 , email Edward@Croweandassociates.com or mail (Crowe and Associates, 304 Federal Road, Suite 107, Brookfield, CT 06804).

TIPS: Here is a list of the more popular Aetna plans:  CT Managed Care Open Access Value $3,000, CT Managed Care Open Access $5,000, CT Managed Care Open Access $2,500 as well as the CT Managed Care Open Access $1,500.  These plan values are subject to change annually.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.  You can reach us either by email at Edward@croweandassociates.com or by phone at  (203)796-5403.

Access to doctors with health reform

This post will give you information about your Access to doctors with health reform.  The new health reform plans that are created and will be ready to go either through the State or Federal Exchange by January 1, 2013.   The plan designs have been decided by  the carriers who participate.   In fact, the criteria that the carriers use to determine rates is  established.  So what will the provider network look like?

Read more

The major changes with Health Reform will be enacted on January 1, 2014 which will create change for small and large group employers.  While small groups are not mandated to offer coverage (There is not an inadequate or unaffordable coverage penalty for small groups) they will still see changes. Health plan renewals for 2014 will be increased 30% to 50% over the normal renewal making it very difficult for many employers to offer coverage.  The individual and small group (Called Shops) exchanges will also be available.   Ultimately, small groups will have five options for health care offerings in 2014.  All five options are reviewed in depth below. Read more