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August 11, 2014September 8, 2016

SHOP: How It Can Benefit Your Small Business

With all the confusion surrounding the implications of the Affordable Care Act, it is imperative that you utilize all the available options as a business owner. The Small Business Health Options Program has been put in place to guide small businesses through the process of offering health coverage to their employees.

As a small business owner with 50 or fewer full-time employees, you are given the opportunity to take advantage of the Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace, also known as SHOP. If you are a small business owner with less than 25 employees, you may be eligible to receive tax credits when purchasing health coverage for your employees through the Small Business Health Options Program.

Benefits of The Small Business Health Options Program, Include:

You are in control of what coverage you offer your employees and how much you pay toward employee premiums.
Your business’ needs and your employees’ needs can be met by choosing between 4 different levels of coverage.
You can choose to begin coverage at any time. As long as you enroll by the 15^th of the month, coverage will begin on the 1^st of the following month.
As previously mentioned, as a small business with fewer than 25 employees, you may be eligible to receive a tax credit.

Qualifying Terms for The Small Business Health Options Program, Include:

Any business with 50 or less full time employees may be qualified to offer employees coverage through SHOP.
If you are interested in using SHOP, you must offer coverage to every single one of your full time employees.
If you are looking to use SHOP, you may be required to have a large majority your employees enroll in your SHOP plan. This percentage is typically around 70 percent.
You must be within the boundaries of a SHOP service area to utilize the service.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services strives to provide Redlands, California residents with excellent insurance services custom tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact us today and allow us customize a unique health insurance package for your family based on your needs.

August 4, 2014September 8, 2016

5 Ways to Stay Healthy on Vacation

As you’ve been hitting the gym constantly and watching what you eat before your summer vacation, there is no reason to lose all that progress as you enjoy your trip. While many think it is impossible to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on vacation, there are a variety of ways to stay healthy but still enjoy yourself. Consider incorporating these 5 helpful tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on vacation:

In order to save both money and calories, you will want to have at least one meal at your hotel or rental property each day. If you are renting a property, you’ll have more freedom to indulge in a tasty but healthy meal. If you will be staying in a hotel, consider bringing breakfast bars, cereal, or oatmeal.
Remember portion control as you dine out. It is nearly impossible to avoid restaurants altogether while vacationing, therefore, you’ll have to remind yourself that you do not have to finish the entire dish. You will also want to order all sauces and dressings on the side so that you can choose how much you consume.
If you want to consume alcohol while on vacation, remember that you’ll want to drink only water and sparkling water on all other occasions. Avoid fruity drinks that will be loaded with calories and sugars such as Mai Tais and Pina Coladas. Rather, stick to straight shooters or vodka with sparkling water and lime.
Whenever possible, walk to your destination. You may want to make an effort to go on a walk after each meal so that you don’t feel bloated and guilty for enjoying yourself.
Unlike when you’re home exercising, many vacation activities involve exercising in a FUN way. Go zip lining through the forest or indulge on a scenic hike with your spouse.

July 28, 2014September 8, 2016

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. This will determine if a business owner is required to offer their employees’ healthcare benefits.
The healthcare that is offered to employees must be affordable, providing the minimum level of coverage to both the full time employee and their dependents.
Minimum level coverage is determined by the percentage of total allowed cost of benefits, which must be at least 60 percent.
If you are a small business owner or farmer, there are certain options you must consider. You may be eligible to deduct 100 percent of uncovered medical expenses as a business expense.
In order to avoid any penalties, it is strongly encouraged that you seek the advice of one of the many administrative organizations to make sure you have compiled with all new laws and regulations, including the Treatment Alternatives of Safe Communities (TASC).

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.

July 7, 2014September 8, 2016

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 prison
If you lose your current health insurance. This includes if you lose health insurance through your job or are no longer eligible to receive Medi-Cal
Fluctuating income that results in sporadic eligibilities and ineligibilities.
If you become a citizen, natural, or lawfully present individual. This only applies to those who were previously not considered citizens, nationals, or lawfully present.
Wrongful enrollment due to misconduct or misrepresentation of your health insurance provider.
If you applied before March 31^st, and received a denial notice from Medi-Cal after March 31^st.
Incorrect denial for Covered California or Medi-Cal coverage
A member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe – Eligible for one-a-month enrollment
Case-by-case basis to determine eligibility

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.

June 10, 2014September 8, 2016

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 two-year Own Occupation period for selected employees. After that two-year period is up, the contract continues to pay but the definition changes to Any Occupation. Some limited term policies provide claimants with a 5-year benefit. However, some contracts will continue to use the definition, Own Occupation, until the claimant turns 65 years old or to their Social Security Normal Retirement Age. It is unusual to see an individual disability policy with anything less than Own Occupation coverage.

Any Occupation

Any Occupation, also known as Any Gainful Occupation, refers to when a claimant is unable to perform the material and substantial duties of any gainful occupation. Any Gainful Occupation refers to an occupation where a person’s performance is based on education, training, and experience. The Gainful Occupation may be required to provide the claimant with a defined income level in order to no longer be classified as disabled.

For more information about long term disability insurance in California please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance, located in Redlands.

June 3, 2014September 8, 2016

Find the Long Term Disability Insurance You Need With These Simple Tips

When disaster strikes in the form of an illness or injury, it can often render you disabled and unable to work. This may last a few weeks, a few months, a few years or the rest of your life. Long-term disability insurance is a special type of insurance coverage that can ensure you stay financially secure during such a time. However, purchasing long term disability insurance should be considered as an investment. Therefore, you need to be careful when buying.

Here are a few tips to make the search and purchase process smooth:

Don’t Rely Solely on Government Assistance

Social Security benefits are often available to those who become disabled due to an injury or illness. However, it can often take months to be approved, if you are approved at all. Therefore, long-term disability insurance is a necessary back-up plan to replace the income that you had from your job.

See If Employer Policies Are Available

Depending on the industry and the employer, you may have a disability insurance policy with your place of employment. Many employers offer both short- and long-term disability insurance to employees. Even so, you may still want your own policy to help bridge the gap between the money you receive from your employer and the money that you need to live.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry because you never know when an unexpected illness or injury can strike. You want to make sure you and your family are taken care of during a time like this and one of the best ways to do so is by purchasing long-term disability insurance.

Contact us for a California long-term disability insurance quote or learn more about securing your financial future with what we have to offer here at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance in Redlands.

May 27, 2014September 8, 2016

Is Disability Insurance Something I Really Need?

You likely have insurance coverage for your house, your automobile and your personal belongings. However, have you ever thought about insuring yourself? We’re not talking about life insurance. We’re talking about disability insurance, which would provide assistance if you were to lose your ability to work and bring in a paycheck.

Did you know that 25% of 20-year-old individuals today will become disabled in one way or another before they are 67 years of age? Further, the average disability payment for Americans as of March 2014 was just over $1,130 a month. That’s hardly enough to pay the bills. More often than not, just missing a day of work can put a family in a real bind financially, so what would happen if you couldn’t work for several months? This is why it might make sense to consider disability insurance.

Disability insurance comes in many shapes and forms, as explained below.

Group Disability Plans

You can purchase a group disability plan, which would be through your employer. This is probably the most common and affordable type of disability coverage, but it may not be enough or there may be fine print that would keep you from receiving all benefits for a certain period of time. So, be careful.

Individual Disability Plans

This type of coverage will be quoted based on your individual situation. Therefore, the price may be higher but you will likely have access to more benefits and options that will be worth it.

Supplemental Disability Plans

This is just a supplemental coverage that will be in addition to your employer policy or your government assistance. If you don’t need much more than what you can expect to get from Social Security benefits, then this may be a feasible choice.

When you think about an illness or injury rendering you unable to earn a living and the amount of money you could expect to receive from the government, you can begin to see the importance of disability insurance.

To learn more about what disability insurance options are available to you and your unique situation, contact us at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance in Redlands, CA.

let Bernardini & Donovan find the right plan for you

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