By the time you are reading this article the enrollment window will have closed for 2014 and the administration will surely be telling us how wonderful things are going. By hiring navigators (that are not licensed) and cutting broker compensation by a staggering 80% it’s clear to me is that they are trying to phase brokers out. This leaves the public vulnerable and on their own to solve the health insurance puzzle and whether or not to go onto the exchange.
It’s important for readers to understand how these policies work as many brokers are either exiting the business or not accepting new health insurance clients anymore.
The initial factor that drives premiums is the insurance company that you choose. Be careful with this as there are several new insurance companies that have entered the marketplace. These companies have no track record.
TIP#1: Don’t buy strictly on price as many of these new carriers are using very limited doctor networks. The price might be attractive but if your primary care physician doesn’t accept that plan (in-network) you will have to change doctors or foot the whole bill yourself.
TIP#2: Contact all of your preferred doctors and ask them which companies they are in-network with and which networks they accept. For example Oxford has 3 networks so you need to specify which one(s) your doctor takes before changing plans.
The second factor is the type of plan. Will it be in-network only or in and out of network plan? Going with an in-network only plan (also known as EPO or HMO) can save you as much as 20-40% on your monthly premiums.
TIP#3: Take note that the in and out of network plans (also known as PPO’s or POS plans) have changed the way they reimburse for out of network usage. These subtle reductions can drop your reimbursement amounts to under 50% so be sure to ask for a “summary of benefits” before buying these pricey plans.
The third factor is the plan-design. This takes into account variables such as office co-pay, hospital co-pay, drug card, deductibles and co-insurance amounts. The higher the co-pay the lower your monthly premiums.
TIP#4: Use a broker to help decipher how to read the spreadsheets and to help find the “sweet spot” where the premiums are the most reasonable. Insist the broker shop the market every year. The price will be the same so why do it yourself? Unlike the banking system and stock market, the insurance industry is regulated by individual states who decide the premiums.
TIP#5: People ask me “Robert, when would it make sense to go onto the exchange?” If you earn less than $46,000 as an individual or $94,000 as a family of 4 and are willing to leave your doctors-then take about 40 minutes with your tax return, fill out your profile and see if you qualify for free/subsidized coverage. If not then you will do better off the exchange.
Some positives on the new Obama care plans are that pre-existing conditions are covered, kids can stay on their parents’ policies until age 26 (age 29 with the purchase of a rider) and many plans include dental and vision options. Keep in mind that these benefits incur a cost and it may make sense to keep your pre-Obama care plan should you still have access to it. I’m always interested in reader’s feedback so feel free to contact me at [email protected] or at www.InsuranceDoctor.us with questions or concerns.
By:
Robert C. Intelisano CLU,CSA,LUTCF
Intelisano & Associates, Inc.
Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375