What’s up with the health insurance open enrollment?
OK, I know… What does healthcare insurance have to do with Autocross? That’s a great question. It could be answered by the corner worker who was on course without a spotter, not paying attention and texting pictures of cars driving. He would tell you that he was in need of some serious health insurance after he was flipped up in the air by a low flying C5 Vette. Needless to say, he needed health insurance. So there you go…
Those of you who currently have a healthcare insurance plan have an opportunity to make changes to your plan for the 2015 year. In fact, there is a good chance that if you have been on a plan for more than a couple of years, then it may be ending on the last day of 2014, or you will be auto-enrolled into the next plan at a much higher premium (at the decision of your current insurance carrier). Most of you have received a letter from your carrier explaining that your plan will be ending or changing, leaving you without insurance effective 1/1/2015. So what this means is that you need to take a look at your coverage and make any needed changes for 2015, which can be done beginning this November 15th.
Those of you who have no healthcare insurance are not only subject to potentially high medical costs in the event of an accident, disease, or illness, but will be hit with fines from the federal government for not having “credible” healthcare insurance coverage.
What are your options? There are a few ways to do this. Some small businesses have their own online exchange that will allow the employee to log onto the specific healthcare options offered through the employer group. In most cases you, the employee, would have been made aware of this and been given some sort of guidance on how to enroll or participate.
Another way is to log onto KYNECT and try to figure out everything on your own. You will need to understand insurance types, deductibles and co-pays, and what networks go with which plan. Prescription plan benefits are also an important consideration and would need to be reviewed in detail to suit your personal requirements.
The best way, and most logical option, would be to discuss this with a licensed health insurance agent. Sure, I‘m going to suggest working with an agent because I’m an agent. The great part is that it doesn’t cost you anything to let me do all the tedious research for you! An agent knows all the ins and outs of navigating the KYNECT “exchange“ system while also reviewing the individual insurance companies that would work best for you. In most cases the agent will find you the best deal and get you the correct premium subsidy as well.
So get covered for 2015. Enclosed you will find important dates and information pertaining to the upcoming open enrollment periods.
Important dates concerning your healthcare insurance
October 15th 2014 – December 7th 2014
This is the annual Medicare open enrollment period. Medicare is insurance coverage for people that are age 65+ or disabled. This is the only opportunity to sign up or make changes to your Medicare plan for the 2015 coverage period.
MEDICARE
You may have already received or will soon be receiving your plan information for 2015. There will be changes in each and every plan, so if you have any questions or concerns now is the time to find out more.
November 15th 2014 – February 15th 2015
This is the individual (non-Medicare) health insurance open enrollment period. This is your opportunity to sign up or make changes to your health insurance plan for 2015.
To be compliant with the Affordable Care Act “Obama Care” guidelines, every citizen of the United States must carry a “qualified health plan” to avoid financial penalties.
Russ Coleman / Principle Agent
Coleman & Associates Insurance Group
806 Stone Creek Parkway Suite #7
Louisville, KY 40223
502-690-6111
russ@colemanagent.com / www.colemanagent. com