Redlands | Bernardini & Donovan

October 29, 2014September 8, 2016

Open Enrollment 2015: Where To Start?

With open enrollment 2015 right around the corner, you may be stressed out, especially if this is your first time applying for health coverage. However, there is no need to fret! We are here to break down the process and help you understand the often-confusing subject of health care. Here are a few useful tidbits of information to help ease your mind:

The only way to apply for health care before November 15^th is to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Your current health coverage will end on December 31^st of 2014 if it was purchased prior to November 15^th, 2014.
To apply online for health coverage, you will first need to make an account. Be prepared with a username and password that are secure, and memorable.
You can begin filling out your application on the 15^th of November.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding your income, current health plan, how many individuals are in your household, and more.
After your application has been filed, you will be presented with the coverage options that you are eligible to take advantage of.
Once you have evaluated your options, you should select the plan that best suits your lifestyle.
Your next and last step is to enroll in the plan of your choice, and to pay your first premium before the payment is overdue.
Get in touch with one of one of our certified Covered California agents here at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services to help you through the process!

We hope that these tips have proven useful to you! For any additional answers to your health insurance questions, contact the insurance professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in Redlands! We cannot wait to assist you, today!

October 22, 2014September 8, 2016

How To Prep For Open Enrollment 2015!

Before we know it, November will be nipping at our heels! Along with November comes Open Enrollment 2015! It is time to start thinking about your health insurance needs. During this time, you have the opportunity to adjust your current health insurance policy, or purchase a new one altogether. Being prepared for open enrollment now, will lead to less stress headaches come November. Here are a few things to think about before next month rolls around:

Be prepared to have the addresses for every individual that will be covered under your policy.
You will need to have your social security number on hand.
If you are a legal immigrant, you should have your immigration documents handy.
Be prepared with your pay stubs or W-2 forms to verify your employment and income status.
Try to find an estimate of your household income for the last year.
Be equipped with the insurance policy of your existing health coverage.
If you or anyone in your household is eligible for an employer-sponsored health plan, you should complete the employer coverage tool prior to open enrollment.
Make sure you know the start and end dates for open enrollment. The first day is November 15^th, 2014 and open enrollment ends on February 15^th, 2015. Make sure you do not miss any of the deadlines!
Contact your certified Covered California agent at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance!

If you still have questions about the open enrollment process, or your current health insurance, please contact the trusted agents at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance! We are located in Redlands, California, and are prepared to find you a comprehensive health plan that meets all of your needs. As healthcare continues to increase in price, so does your need for an advocate in the health insurance world. Let us be your advocate, and contact us, today!

October 10, 2014September 8, 2016

Using an Insurance Broker to Successfully Maneuver the Open Enrollment Period

If you are one of the many Americans who missed Obamacare’s first open enrollment period, it is important that you start preparing so that you can be ready when the second open enrollment period arrives. If you miss this second period, you will be forced to pay a penalty for each month that you do not have health insurance. Unless you qualify for the special enrollment period, you could be paying hefty penalties for several months until the third open enrollment period arrives.

The second Covered California open enrollment period starts on November 15, 2014 and will end on February 15, 2015. During this time, you must obtain health insurance in order to avoid the penalty. During the weeks leading up to the second open enrollment period, you will want to gather all important documents such as birth certificates, proof of citizenship, etc. If you find the market exchange confusing, an insurance broker can guide you through this complicated process.

We understand how confusing the laws and regulations surrounding Obamacare can be, especially if you have never purchased health insurance before. Many individuals who are inexperienced in purchasing health insurance benefit immensely by using a broker. Insurance brokers such as the experienced brokers at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services guide you through each step of the health insurance process, free of charge. Our experience makes us the perfect candidates to sit down and compare varying plans and policies with you, to ensure that you obtain the most affordable policy possible.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California health insurance needs. We are extremely knowledgeable in all regulations and laws surrounding the Affordable Care Act, which is why we are the perfect team to guide you in your health insurance endeavors. We can help ensure that your health insurance complies will all new rules and regulations.

October 3, 2014September 8, 2016

Managing Your Life Insurance Policy

Despite its significance, many individuals who have life insurance fail to review their policy after its purchase. Many individuals simply pay the premium amount and do not give their life insurance policy the attention it requires. Yes, purchasing life insurance is the first step in the right direction. However, it is equally important to manage and update your policy as life continues to change. Gathered are some helpful tips to guide you in managing your life insurance policy:

Once you purchase your life insurance policy, it is important that you schedule annual visits with your life insurance agent so that you can make any necessary changes. However, if you experience a major life change, it is important that you get in touch with your life insurance agent to make immediate changes on your policy. These life changes include getting married, having a child, incurring debt, etc.
In managing your life insurance policy, you will want to go over how much money you are putting towards the policy. Talk with your life insurance agent and see if you would benefit from dispersing your funds with a variable life insurance policy. This investment opportunity would allow you to continue investing throughout the years.
If you are receiving life insurance from your employer, you will want to speak with a reputable life insurance agent to determine if this coverage will suffice in protecting each member of your family. Typically, employer sponsored life insurance policies only provide minimal coverage, which means depending on your particular needs, you may need to purchase a supplemental form of life insurance for ultimate protection.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California life insurance needs. Allow us to assist in managing your life insurance policy to ensure that your loved ones are always receiving the protection they deserve.

September 25, 2014September 8, 2016

Life Insurance Types: Term, Whole, Universal, & Variable

It is no surprise that many individuals find life insurance confusing. When it comes to choosing a life insurance policy, there are a magnitude of considerations and choices you must make. One of the most difficult decisions to make when it comes to purchasing a life insurance policy is choosing which type of life insurance policy to purchase. There is no cookie cutter answer for which life insurance policy works best for each individual, but these informational points should help guide your decision:

Term life insurance policies provide your loved ones with protection for a fixed period of time. You are in control of the longevity of your policy. You can choose for your policy to be active anywhere from 5 years to 50 years. These policies are less expensive than other types of life insurance policies since they do not accumulate cash value throughout the years.
Whole life insurance policies, also known as permanent life insurance policies, are more expensive than term life insurance policies because they accrue cash value over the years. Additionally, they do not expire. Your whole life insurance policy will protect your loved ones financially for the rest of your lifetime.
Universal life insurance policies are similar to whole life insurance policies but differ in that they are more flexible. Unlike whole life insurance policies, the premium amounts, coverage limits, and cash values can change throughout the duration of the policy.
Variable life insurance policies act as an investment opportunity. Through these policies, you can have a portion of your premium go towards an investment account or towards bonds or stocks.

We recognize September as Life Insurance Awareness Month! Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California life insurance needs. Allow us to help you decide between the different types of life insurance policies and provide your loved ones with guaranteed security.

September 19, 2014September 8, 2016

Understanding Life Insurance During Life Insurance Awareness Month

Since September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, chances are you have heard a thing or two about the topic recently. Nearly half of Americans do not have life insurance, despite how vital of an insurance policy it really is. Life insurance acts as a financial safeguard for your loved ones after you pass. Your life insurance policy will assist in paying all final expenses, burial costs, education expenses, and any income debt or liabilities.

When it comes to understanding life insurance, you must first understand who needs life insurance. While everyone can benefit from the extra security and the guarantee of their final wishes, those who need life insurance most are those who have someone depending on them financially. As your family begins the grieving process after you pass, the last thing you want is for them to have to deal with financial troubles. If you have any debt, a life insurance policy would provide your loved ones with financial protection. Additionally, your life insurance policy can replace your income for the time being until those who were dependent on you can determine an alternative income solution. This will allow them to continue paying all bills and mortgage payments.

As one of the most important policies an individual can purchase, insurance companies offer different types of life insurance policies to meet the financial limitations of nearly all individuals. Those in the market for a life insurance policy can choose between term life insurance, whole life insurance, and universal life insurance. Your experienced agent will guide you through the process of choosing which type of life insurance policy best meets your needs. Understanding life insurance does not have to be confusing with one of our knowledgeable agents by your side.

September 12, 2014September 8, 2016

How Obamacare Will Affect Your Small Business

As the various insurance implications surrounding Obamacare continue to affect both individuals and small businesses, it is important that you make sure that you are complying with the Affordable Care Act. Depending on the size of your small business and the amount of full-time employees that you have, you may be required to offer them health insurance. As we observe how recent health care reform is affecting our California small businesses, there are some trends that are worthy of acknowledgement:

Obamacare has contributed to the growth of consumer-driven health care. As a consumer-driven industry, employees and patients are acting as medical consumers and controlling how their health care allowances are spent. Since the responsibility of controlling health care choices is transferred to the employees, small business employers benefit from consumer-driven health care.
As a small business employer, it is important that you educate yourself of the various health insurance options available to you. When it comes to small businesses and health insurance, you have the luxury of offering your employees tax-free money so that they can make their own health insurance purchase.
The entire way employee benefits work is altered by recent health care reform. Rather than providing your employees with a group health insurance plan, you now have the luxury of offering your employees a health care allowance instead. If you have experienced the inability to offer your employees group health insurance in the past due to failure to meet minimum requirements, you can now offer employees this commodity, tax-free!

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for all of your California business’ health insurance needs. 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.

September 5, 2014September 8, 2016

Carrier Changes for Covered California

As the next open enrollment period fast approaches, many state insurance exchanges are preparing for the overflow of traffic. Most state insurance exchanges have begun preparing for the second Obamacare enrollment period by adding new carriers. However, Covered California did not follow the trend, rather they chose to decrease in size. Yes, you heard right!

As one of the largest states in America, many were surprised to hear that Covered California only had 13 carriers at the start of the first open enrollment period. This year, Covered California will only have 10 carriers. For any other state, 10 carriers would suffice. Of the 10 Covered California carriers, only 4 of them are major insurers with Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, and Anthem Blue Cross.

As if your freedom of choice was not taken with the implementation of Obamacare in the first place, forcing all Americans to obtain health insurance, you now have even less choice. Many regions throughout California are forced to depend on the only insurance carrier available to them, eliminating choice altogether.

Many insurance experts are fearful of the lack of choice Covered California has provided. Since the lack of varying insurance carriers eliminates competition fears continue to rise about the success of Covered California. One main concern that many insurance experts have brought to everyone’s attention is the insurance carrier’s ability to raise prices for insurance. The purpose of Obamacare is to provide Americans with affordable health care, however, the lack of multiple participating carriers gives contributing carriers the ability to raise prices, because there is a lack of many other health insurance options.

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 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.

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.

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