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Tag: bernardini & donovan insurance services

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Covered California: The New Individual Health Insurance Marketplace

The healthcare system in the United States is undergoing  changes. Covered California is the new individual health insurance marketplace, which impacts individuals and families purchasing their own insurance. This new marketplace is designed to increase the quality and affordability of health coverage.

In 2014, major changes to health insurance regulations take effect. Health insurers can no longer deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. New federal subsidies will also be available to help individuals and families purchase qualified health insurance plans. All health plans, including those in the Covered California marketplace, will be required to meet a standard set of essential requirements.

These changes will help an estimated 4.7 million Californians improve the quality of their health insurance. There are four tiers of qualified health plans in the Covered California marketplace: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Each tier varies in terms of the level of coverage and monthly premiums. Catastrophic coverage is also available to individuals under 30 years old.

Changes in health insurance are coming in 2014. For more information about the Covered California health insurance exchange, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in the Redlands, CA area.

 

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How the SHOP Works

When a business gets started there are a number of things that need to happen in order to attract employees. One of the benefits that needs to be in place is health insurance. The Covered California SHOP Exchange is a way for small businesses to provide group health insurance for their employees. Here is how Shop works for small businesses:

How Shop Works

  • Each participant in the plan completes a profile and receives a group ID.
  • The employee of the company enters the SHOP program and they are then issued an ID of their own. In order for them to      access their plan they are also issued a password.
  • Once inside the plan the employee enrolls in the health plan that they need for themselves.
  • Once the employee has made their selections the employer then verifies that they work there.
  • All information is taken care of by the SHOP and then from there it is given over to the insurance carriers.

Any small business owners who have questions about the SHOP in California, should contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. They can help answer all of your questions about Covered California SHOP.

 

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Covered California SHOP Exchange: What this means for employers

In California small businesses that are struggling to provide health care coverage for their employees now have hope. The Covered California SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) Exchange will provide a greater selection of group health insurance coverage, previously only offered to businesses with larger numbers of employees. Small business owners who are interested in joining the Covered California SHOP Exchange can do so just as long as they have less than 50 employees, for the time being.

As part of this revolutionary program, small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, as well as an annual earning that is less than $50,000, can earn a 50 percent federal tax credit for any health care coverage that is purchased via SHOP. To date 375,000 small business employers in the state of California are eligible for this small business tax credit.

Here at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services we offer additional information regarding the Covered California SHOP Exchange. If you would like assistance in determining if you are eligible or how to be a part of the SHOP program, contact the insurance professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in Redlands, CA today.

 

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Covered California SHOP Exchange

The Covered California SHOP Exchange provides two major benefits to small employers – access and administrative relief. SHOP provides access to a large selection of health plans that have previously been available only to larger companies. SHOP also takes over plan administration, relieving businesses with fewer than 50 employees of the burden of dealing with employee health insurance.

California’s approximately 375,000 small companies with 25 or fewer employees earning an average annual wage of less than $50,000 qualify for an additional benefit. These smaller businesses will be eligible for a 50% federal small-business tax credit when they purchase coverage through SHOP.

SHOP relieves small businesses of the burden of finding and administering health plans for their employees. The business sets up a customized SHOP profile and receives a unique group ID. Employees login to the SHOP exchange and select a plan from the available qualified health plans. SHOP handles enrollment, eligibility, adds, changes, and terminations. The SHOP Exchange provides the employer with the necessary reports to integrate employee premium deductions into their payroll system. The employer writes just one check and the Covered California platform sends the premiums to each health insurance carrier.

For more information about health insurance for small businesses in California, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services.

 

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How to Find the Right Health Insurance for You

Trying to determine how to find the right health insurance for your needs can seem challenging. With so many health insurance options, it is not surprising that it can seem complicated. Fortunately, you can find the right policy with the appropriate tools.

List Personal Needs

Health insurance is not a policy that fits only one individual. Taking time to list all of the personal or family needs will help narrow down the choices. A family of four will have different needs than an individual or a married couple without children. Take time to write down all of the requirements for coverage.

Look at Several Options

After determining exactly what you need, it is time to look at the options that meet your needs. Ask your agent to find the best deals and solutions for the whole family. Read carefully through coverage options and look at the quotes to determine if it is a financially sound option.

Finding coverage is not always easy, but it is possible for Redlands, California residents to find solutions. To learn more about your coverage options, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, Inc. at 877-251-2447 or visit us online.

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What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know about the Affordable Care Act in 2014

New policies related to healthcare have many small business owners concerned of what is to come in 2014. News reports are tossing around penalty figures of $2000 per person per year. And that is just the start of the penalty scale. Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services explains what a small business owner needs to know about his or her responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act:

  • Small businesses won’t be penalized. Businesses that employ less than 50 full-time employees will not be held to the employer responsibilities outlined in the Affordable Care Act.
  • However, you can qualify for a tax credit. A small business that pays average yearly wages of less than $50K, has less than 25 full-time employees and offers affordable health insurance could receive incentives in the form of a small business tax credit. Beginning in 2014, this credit could be up to 50 percent and will help offset group health insurance costs.
  • You may have more buying power than you think. According to HealthCare.gov, the average small business pays  18 percent more for group health insurance than a larger company would. Small businesses that employ less than 100 people on average will have access to the Health Insurance Marketplace, reducing costs by giving access to plans seen by larger corporation.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447 today for more information on group health insurance for small businesses.

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Make the Right Decision About Becoming A Part Of Your Employer’s Health Insurance Program

You’ve finally found the dream job position you always wanted. It will offer a great salary and bonuses throughout your career. As you fill out the employee paperwork, you are asked on whether you want to participate in the employer’s health insurance program.

Joining Group Health Insurance Plans

Many employers who hire a certain number of employees will offer health insurance programs through the company. There are many benefits on why you should participate in one. While you will have a portion of your wages go into the health plan, your employer will also pay toward the costs. In addition, the insurance is group rated, which means you will have more opportunities of being placed on a good plan.

Most employers will give you the opportunity to choose the plan you want. Also, you may be able to place your spouse and your children on the same plan. Make sure you read about all the benefits and coverage you will get when you are asked to participate in it.

Find Affordable Health Plans Through Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services

Just because you own a business doesn’t mean you should go broke trying to pay group health insurance for your employees. Find the insurance coverage that works for your company’s budget while letting your employees have the health insurance program they need to stay healthy by looking at the insurance products offered through Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. For more information about Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in the Redlands area, and throughout California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447.

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Switch to Eco-Friendly Products to Improve Your Health

You hate cleaning your home. Every time you take out the chemical cleaners, your skin breaks out in a red rash and your chest wheezes from the fumes. But what else can you do? You refuse to live in a dirty home. Yet you wonder if using these chemicals is affecting your health in a negative manner.

Switch to Eco-Friendly Products                                                                                    

Toss out the cleaning products that are affecting your health and instead use environmentally-friendly products. Going green with your household products are great ways to clean your house while you are protecting your health. Most of the harsh chemicals in regular cleaning products can cause a variety of health problems such as:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Skin burns
  • Rashes
  • Respiratory issues

In addition, some of the chemicals may cause cancer, or are dangerous if swallowed by small children or pets. Make the switch over to eco-friendly products that will not cause you or your family such health problems.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services Offers Premium Health Insurance              

Small changes in your lifestyle can improve your overall health. Yet you should be protected with the right health insurance when a medical emergency occurs. Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services offers affordable health plans for your entire family. For more information about Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in the Redlands, CA area, and throughout California, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447.

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Employer Responsibilities Under the Affordable Care Act

Beginning in 2014, employers may face large penalties if affordable health insurance is not offered to employees. Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services helps you determine your responsibilities as an employer under the Affordable Care Act.

Which type of group healthcare is considered affordable under terms of the Act?

Affordable care means that less than 9.5 percent of the employee’s gross income goes toward health insurance premium. Additionally, the employer must pay at least 60 percent of the policy premium.

I have a small business; will I face fines if I don’t offer affordable healthcare coverage?

If you have less than 50 full-time employees, you will not have to pay penalties.

I have a company with 50 or more employees, what happens if I don’t offer affordable coverage?

If your company with 50+ employees does not offer affordable coverage, you will face penalties that begin at $2000 multiplied by the total number of employees, minus 30.

Companies that offer group healthcare plans conforming to the terms of affordability under the Act will not face any fines, according to information provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447 for more information about how the Affordable Care Act will affect businesses in  Redlands, CA ,and throughout California.

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5 Steps to Get the Group Health Insurance Everyone Is Happy With

Your business has grown to the point where you can hire as many employees that you need to handle operations. You’ve developed the employee positions and hired the qualified workers. There is just one other thing you need to do: find the right employer’s health insurance plan that you can afford.

5 Steps Business Owners Can Take To Find the Right Group Health Insurance           

Finding the right health insurance and employee benefits does not have to be a long and arduous process. You can find the insurance you want and the one that your employees will be happy with by following these 5 steps.

Step #1: Research the Insurance Industry

Never purchase a product without finding out more about it. This includes health insurance. Find out about the industry and how it personally affects you as you can make smart decisions when it comes to buying group health insurance.

Step #2: Talk With Your Employees about Benefits

While you don’t have to ask your employees about health insurance, it is a good idea to get their opinion about it. Create a survey and ask them about the types of employee benefits they would like to have. In this manner, you can look for insurance that will cover their needs.

Step #3: Get Quotes

Ask your agent or broker to prepare different quotes so you can get a general idea on how much the insurance will cost.

Step #4: Compare Plans

Once you get the quotes, you can now compare the insurance plans so you are getting the most affordable prices with the best offered coverage. Now is the time to pull out the questionnaires your employees filled out so you can use their opinions to help with the decision-making.

Step #5: Commit To the Policy

Once you choose the policy, you need to commit to it without second-guessing yourself. Just move forward with your choice with the full knowledge that your employees are properly protected.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services Provides the Quotes You Need

Choosing insurance is never easy, but it can be done if you are using the right company who offers affordable insurance products. Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services offers premium group health insurance at the quotes you can afford. For more information about Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in the Redlands area, and throughout California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services at 877-251-2447.

let Bernardini & Donovan find the right plan for you

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