Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services

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Ongoing Changes in ACA Regulations

Since its establishment, the Affordable Care Act has stirred much controversy and confusion. Both individuals and businesses have experienced a wide range of changes due to this new law. As a business owner, it is crucial that you are in compliance and knowledgeable of the following: A small business with less than 50 employees working full-time is not required to offer healthcare to their employees. The number of full-time employees is calculated by the previous year’s number of full-time employees. While the idea of seasonal employees may make identifying the actual number of full-time employees more challenging, typically, if a seasonal worker is employed for less than 120 days each year, they are not considered a full-time employee. As a business owner with more than one entity, you will be required to combine the total number of full-time employees from each business to determine the actual number of full-time employees.

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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

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Covered California: Special Enrollment Period

Once open enrollment for Covered California comes to an end, the only way you can enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan is if you experience one of the specific life changing events. If you have recently experienced a life changing event and missed the open enrolling period for Covered California, you may want to double check with the list of qualifying events for special enrollment. We have compiled a list of the qualifying events for your convenience. At Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, we are Certified Covered California Agents, so any of your remaining questions can be promptly answered by our skilled team. Qualifying Life Events for the Special Enrollment Period: Getting married or entering a domestic partnership Adopt a child, receive a child into foster care, or put a child in adoption or in foster care Change of permanent residence If you are released from jail or

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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 15th until December 7th. 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 15th and December 7th, your health care coverage will begin on January 1st of the upcoming year. When you enroll during the first half of any month, the 1st until the 15th, 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, 16th through the 31st, your health insurance coverage will begin on the first day of the second following month. There is

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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 15th, 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

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Disability Insurance: Own Occupation vs Any Occupation

Disability income contracts are intended to protect you from income loss when you are sick or injured. The most important factor of the contract is how disability is defined. Long-term disability is intended to protect those who are totally disabled from performing their duties. Many contracts not only provide benefits while the claimant is disabled from working, but also require an earnings loss from the disability. Many assume that long-term disability is too expensive, however, employer sponsored long-term disability is generally very inexpensive compared to a personal long-term disability contract. Own Occupation This term refers to when a claimant, whether they are in a group or individual disability contract, is disabled because they are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of their occupation. This definition is still met when the claimant is totally disabled and not working at all. Typically, group policies have a limited term policy, a

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