covered california | Bernardini & Donovan

August 29, 2014September 8, 2016

5 Reasons The Insurance Agent Is More Important Than Ever

Despite common initial reaction to recent health care reform, health insurance brokers are still important, if not more important when it comes to the health care industry. With the majority of California residents still wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect their lives, insurance brokers are able to help individuals and small businesses navigate through the various health insurance regulations. Gathered are 5 reasons why your insurance broker will become even more vital of an asset to you:

If you are one of the many individuals who will be purchasing health insurance for the first time, your insurance broker will be able to answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the process of successfully enrolling in health care.
Your insurance agent will be able to tell you whether or not your existing health insurance plan can become a grandfathered plan where you can keep it. You can even ask your insurance agent to help you determine which plan is the most cost effective and which provides the most benefits to you.
As a small business owner, you may be able to purchase SHOP coverage through your insurance broker. Likewise, your insurance agent can help make sure that you are following all new rules and regulations under Obamacare, and help you assess the various health insurance options.
As a small business owner, you can utilize the various benefits of having an employee benefits broker by your side. Your insurance broker will be able to manage your health care costs while ensuring that your organization complies with all rules and regulations.
Most importantly to note, your insurance agent has been in the industry far longer than any health care reform navigator, therefore, they will best be able to assist you.

We understand that the various implications surrounding Covered California may have you confused, and that is why we are available to dispel any myths and reveal only the truth. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California health insurance needs.

August 22, 2014September 8, 2016

How Will Covered California Affect My Health Insurance?

With the introduction of Covered California, better known as Obamacare, many individuals and businesses are left wondering how the implications will affect their lives. Health exchanges have been put in place, providing individuals and businesses with a specific place where they can purchase health insurance through Covered California.

Although these health exchanges have been put in place, many Californians will continue purchasing health insurance from insurance companies, brokers, and private health exchanges. Since the majority of California residents who purchase health insurance will not qualify for government tax subsidies, many individuals would prefer to avoid purchasing health insurance from the state exchange service.

If you choose to purchase health insurance on an off-exchange plan, you will still be receiving top quality care. This is because the off-exchange plans are required to follow the 10 essential health benefits, offering the following 10 necessities:

Services during emergencies
Outpatient care without hospital admittance
Hospitalization
Maternity care and newborn care
Care for those with mental health and substance abuse problems
Prescription medications
Rehab and rehabilitative services
Laboratory facilities
Pediatric care
Preventative care

While there are still options for health insurance, it is now required by law that you obtain health insurance. Under the recent health care reform, all individuals must have health insurance. Likewise, there are a variety of legal requirements businesses must abide by now. If you have more than 50 full-time employees, you are now required by law to offer those employees health insurance. The next open enrollment period is fast approaching, so be sure to get informed so that you can make the appropriate health insurance decision based on your unique needs.

We understand that the various implications surrounding the Affordable Care Act may have you confused, and that is why we are available to dispel any myths and reveal only the truth. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California health insurance needs.

July 14, 2014September 8, 2016

Covered California: FAQs about Special Enrollment Period

As a complex manner, the rules and regulations of Covered California often confuse people. If you have recently experienced a life changing event and believe you are qualified for the Special Enrollment Period, you may have a few questions about what the next step is. As Certified Covered California Agents, the insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can guide you through the process and ease your worries.

After your qualifying life event occurs, you have 60 days to enroll in Covered California through the Special Enrollment Period. If you wait until after the 60 day period, you will be required to wait until the next open enrollment period.
Most qualifying life events make you eligible to enroll online. During this process, many recommend that you meet with a Certified Covered California Agent, such as with the Bernardini & Donovan team, so that you can determine if your qualifying life event allows you to enroll online.
Inform yourself of any gaps in coverage. This may occur if you finish your existing health insurance plan before your new health insurance coverage begins.
The date your health insurance coverage will begin depends on the date you enroll. If you enroll during the first fifteen days of any given month, your coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. If you enroll during the second half of any given month, your coverage will begin on the first of the second following month.

The insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services are Certified Covered California Agents who can help you through the process, for FREE. We can answer any and all of your questions about whether you qualify for the Special Enrollment Period. Although we are located in Redlands, we serve all residents within our California family. Contact us today and we can help you determine when the best time to enroll your family in Covered California would be.

June 30, 2014September 8, 2016

Covered California: Annual Enrollment Dates

As you may already know, the initial open enrollment period ended for Covered California on March 15, 2014. However, if you missed those dates you will have another opportunity to enroll. Each year, Covered California’s annual open enrollment period will begin on October 15^th until December 7^th. Those who enroll during that period will receive health insurance coverage beginning on the first of the new year.

As previously mentioned, when enrollment selection is received in between October 15^th and December 7^th, your health care coverage will begin on January 1^st of the upcoming year. When you enroll during the first half of any month, the 1^st until the 15^th, your health insurance coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. If you enroll during the second half of any given month, 16^th through the 31^st, your health insurance coverage will begin on the first day of the second following month.

There is a Special Enrollment Period for those who undergo a qualifying life event such as beginning an marriage or a domestic partnership, adopting a child, receive a child into foster care or placing a child in adoption or in a foster home, change in permanent residence, loss of health coverage, if you are a member of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe recognized by the federal government, if you become a citizen, if your income changes, along a few other life changing events.

June 23, 2014September 8, 2016

COBRA Participants Special-Enrollment Period

Recent health care reform has experienced a few bumps in the road during its establishment but Covered California is finally in full swing. Until July 15^th, Covered California will be offering a limited-time, special-enrollment period for those currently enrolled with COBRA medical insurance.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) created Covered California, which is designed to guide California individuals and families towards the path of affordable health insurance coverage. After the establishment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, over 1.4 million California residents have begun receiving health coverage through Covered California.

There are a variety of insurance coverage options under Covered California that you must choose from. If you are trying to decide whether or not to continue with your COBRA or obtain a Covered California plan, it is best to consider your options. As a qualified individual for premium tax credits, the Covered California route could potentially cost you less each month than your existing COBRA plan.

Before adopting a Covered California plan, you may also want to check with the available doctor and hospital networks you will have access to. Most importantly, do the sufficient research. You will want to compare and contrast the deductibles and co-pays of both your existing COBRA plan and the plans offered by Covered California. If you choose to drop your current plan at COBRA, you must do so before July 15^th. It is important to note that if you are unhappy with your Covered California plan after dropping your COBRA plan, you cannot return to your previous plan.

The insurance experts at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services are Certified Covered California Agents who can help you through the process, for FREE. Although we are located in Redlands, we serve all residents within our California family. Contact us today and we can help you determine whether or not to stay with your existing COBRA plan or adopt a Covered California plan.

April 14, 2014September 8, 2016

Take Advantage Of California’s Enrollment Extension If You Still Want Health Insurance

Many people tried and failed to complete their enrollment in Covered California to get health insurance by March 31, 2014. Yet they still have an opportunity to get health insurance through Covered California by signing up before the new deadline of April 15, 2014.

Officials aren’t claiming this deadline as any type of extensions to the federal Marketplace enrollment signup. Instead, this is a grace period for people who tried to sign up through the Covered California marketplace exchange website on or before the mandated March 31st deadline yet were unsuccessful.

For people who can’t obtain insurance through their work, they will need to find a certified insurance agent, a certified enrollment counselor or an eligibility worker to complete the application in person.

The April 15 deadline will be the last open enrollment chance a person will have this spring. If you are still interested in getting health insurance for yourself or your family, take advantage of this grace period, call Bernardini & Donovan Insurance today to enroll in Covered California!

For more information about individual and family insurance in California, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance located in Redlands at 877-251-2447.

March 28, 2014September 8, 2016

Contact a Certified Covered California Agent Today!

If you are one of the millions of Californians in need of health insurance, you should consider a certified agent as your go-to for the numerous questions you might have lingering about the Affordable Care Act or Covered California.

Certified agents are trained and subsequently certified to help you with your individual or small group health insurance needs. They know the state and federal laws better than anyone, and are ready to answer any quandaries you might have.

Additionally, since certified agents are registered through Covered California, you can verify the identity of the individual you are working with before you hand over your sensitive personal information. This is just one more way to protect yourself from predators who lurk amidst the insurance system. The Covered California Service Center is always available for this kind of verification via their business office: (800) 300-1506.

For more information about individual health insurance or small group health insurance in Covered California, contact a certified agent at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance.

March 24, 2014September 8, 2016

Open enrollment deadline approaching for part-time employees and subcontract employees

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment deadline for health insurance is rapidly approaching. The last day for part-time and subcontract employees to get health insurance via Covered California, the state healthcare website, is March 31, 2014. Fortunately, if you’re still confused, you can get advice and sign up from a certified agent you trust for the same health insurance as you find online.

Small group employers don’t need to offer healthcare plans to subcontract and part-time employees because the Affordable Care Act specifies required coverage for full-time employees or "full-time equivalents." While independent and subcontract employees are not included in small employer mandatory coverage requirements, these people must qualify as independent contractors. Subcontractors must meet the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition as independent.

Just because an employer calls someone an independent contractor doesn’t mean the IRS will agree. The IRS examines the "substance of the work relationship" to rule on the nature of the employment. If the legal status is that of an independent contractor, the window for open enrollment closes on March 31. The same deadline applies for part-time employees that don’t qualify for small group insurance.

Confused yet? To clear away the "fog," contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance. Don’t miss the open enrollment deadline because you are confused about your options. You can use Bernardini & Donovan Insurance to get the advice and coverage you need. The firm is a certified agent for healthcare plans listed on the Covered California Marketplace. You’ll get the coverage you want at the same price listed on the Healthcare Marketplace site.

March 19, 2014September 8, 2016

Open Enrollment Deadline Looms: Make Certain You’re Covered

The Affordable Care Act has made healthcare available to anyone who needs it and has created penalties for those not enrolled in a healthcare policy. Make certain that you’re not fined for failing to acquire the proper insurance in 2014; check your coverage before the March 31st open enrollment deadline.

After March 31st, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll in, or change, a policy. You also risk paying a fine for failing to acquire insurance. This is particularly important if you have a family; you’ll want to make certain that you are covered in the event of an emergency before the emergency occurs. The last thing you need in a stressful situation is to find out that your coverage isn’t what you thought it would be.

For more information about individual health insurance or Covered California, contact a certified agent with Bernardini & Donovan Insurance.

January 23, 2014September 8, 2016

Employer sponsored coverage, and Covered California premium subsidy, consumers be ware!

It has been brought to our attention through various sources that consumers are being misinformed and misled when it comes to qualifying for premium assistance through Covered California. We want to address this issue, as it has the potential for severe consequences.

Employees who are offered coverage through their employer cannot receive subsidy if their employer offers “affordable” coverage. How is “affordable” coverage defined under the Affordable Care Act? To determine if the coverage is “affordable” or not, we look at the employee ONLY monthly rate for health insurance coverage. The cost to add dependents, spouse, children, etc. DOES NOT play a role in this calculation. If the employee only pays less than 9.5% of the gross household income for health insurance, the coverage is deemed “affordable”.

A simple calculation would look like this. Let’s say the gross HOUSEHOLD income is $50,000. 9.5% of the gross family income would be $4750. So, the EMPLOYEE ONLY would have to pay less than $396 per month ($4750 divided by 12 months equals $396 per month) for the coverage to be “affordable”. It is quite easy for an employer to provide “affordable” coverage. If the EMPLOYEE ONLY pays less than 9.5% of the gross household income on a monthly basis, ALL family members are disqualified from receiving subsidy through Covered California.

However, the children, based on the gross HOUSEHOLD income, may still qualify for Medicaid. Bottom line, if your employer offers you coverage, you need to check and see if it is affordable before looking to Covered California for subsidy. It is quite likely you will NOT be eligible for it.

Call us with questions at 909-792-5100.

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