Insurance | Bernardini & Donovan

March 26, 2015September 8, 2016

We Can Help You Find The Right Health Insurance Policy

Why You Should Work With Bernardini & Donovan

At Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, we understand that finding the right health insurance policy can be confusing and difficult, which is why we are here to help. We strive to simplify all of the health care needs of each of our clients to ensure that you and your loved ones are able to get the perfect health care coverage to fit your specific needs.

Health care has been brought to the forefront of the insurance world thanks to the passing of the Affordable Care Act. All of our licensed agents and brokers have years of experience in the health care world, and are here to help you find the right policy to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage. No matter if you are looking for a policy to just cover you, or are looking for coverage for all of your employees, we are here to help.

At Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, we do more than just find you the right insurance policy. We work to build strong and long lasting relationships with each of our clients to ensure that they are comfortable talking about their policy and asking any questions that come up about the coverage that their policy provides.

With expertise in Group Health Insurance, California Health Insurance, California Life Insurance, and Long Term Care, we can help you find the policy that best meets your needs.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands, California for all of your health insurance needs and to ensure that you invest in the right amount of coverage.

February 11, 2015September 8, 2016

Do You Qualify For A Subsidy?

Discerning The Aid You Can Secure For Your Health Insurance

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) changing healthcare in the United States, it can be difficult to understand exactly what kind of support the government can offer you. According to the ACA, the government now offers subsidies to make healthcare more affordable for eligible parties. These are tax credits that are available for lower income families and individuals.

To qualify for subsidies, you must live in the United States, be a citizen of the US or lawfully residing in the country, not be in jail, and have a household income level of four times the federal poverty level or less. This means that if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income is between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level you can qualify for tax credits to help you cover the expense of your health care.

How much reimbursement can you expect? The subsidies are based on a sliding scale. The government will determine what percentage the amount you pay for your health insurance is of your income, and offer increased subsidies the higher the percentage is. The sliding scale is based off of the cost of the second least-expensive silver-level plan that is available in your area.

If you would like help from the experts to discern if you qualify for a subsidy, a certified agent like the ones at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services is here to aid you. To understand what the ACA means for you, how not to miss an important deadline, and how to save on your premiums, do not hesitate to contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today. Located in Redlands, we are here to help you secure the best protection for you and your family today.

February 4, 2015September 8, 2016

How Affordability Is Determined Under ACA

Understanding What Qualifies Coverage As Affordable

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has changed the face of healthcare in the United States in an effort to make securing health insurance affordable for every American. What, exactly, qualifies as affordable coverage? It cannot just be a vague idea, as the government now requires all businesses that employ a certain number of people to offer affordable coverage to their employees. So how, then, is affordability defined?

According to ACA standards, a plan is considered affordable if it costs 9.5 percent or less of the individual it covers income. As an employer, how can you know if your plan will be affordable for your employees? There are a few safe harbors you can use to avoid being hit with penalty fees.

First, you can reference Box 1 on your employee’s W-2, where he or she will have to report his or her taxable income. Secondly, you can base affordability off your employee’s rate of pay on the first day of coverage under that plan. And finally, you can rest easy knowing your plan is affordable if your employee’s paid share is not more than 9.56 of the federal poverty level for a single individual. These safe harbors enable you to protect your employees by ensuring they are able to afford the protection they need, and protect your business from penalty fees.

Do not be left wondering if the plans you offer as a business or the plan you secure as an individual will be complaint with ACA regulations, only to be hit with tax penalties in April. To have a certified agent come alongside you to help you navigate the changing face of health care, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today. Located in Redlands, we are here to help you secure the best protection for you and your family. To get the health insurance you deserve this year, call us today!

January 23, 2015September 8, 2016

ACA Penalty Fees

Your Guide To The Tax Penalties Of The Affordable Care Act

If you have not yet secured health insurance for 2015, do not wait. The open enrollment period (the time during which you can secure an individual health insurance plan) ends on February 15^th, and if you do not have the coverage required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by that time you may be subject to tax penalties.

What kind of coverage should you have to avoid those fees? You need a major medical health insurance plan. According to the ACA, these plans include coverage for emergency services, pediatric services, laboratory services, rehabilitative services and devices, mental health/substance abuse services, preventative/wellness services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, ambulatory patient services, and prescription drugs.

If you do not have major medical health insurance for three continuous months, you will be hit with penalties when you file your taxes. These penalties will be 2 percent of your taxable income or $325 per adult ($162.50 per child), whichever is greater.

Are you concerned you will not be able to afford the insurance you need to avoid these fees? Do not worry- the ACA also outlines subsidies to help lower income individuals and families get coverage. If your household income is 400 percent or less of the federal poverty level, you can qualify for tax credits to help pay for your health insurance.

Do not let yourself be subject to these fees. Get the health insurance the ACA requires, and that you deserve. To have a certified agent help you determine the right coverage and secure it at the right price, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today. Located in Redlands, we are here to help you secure the best protection for you and your family. To get the health insurance you deserve this year, call us today!

January 16, 2015September 8, 2016

How Job-Based Coverage Affects You

What Does Your Employers Plan Mean For Your Subsidies?

For most, health insurance options through your workplace are good news. If, however, you had plans to secure subsidies to help you pay for an individual health plan outside of your work, your employer’s offer of coverage may be a problem for you. Make sure you do not opt out of health care through your work only to find yourself without tax credit.

How does qualification for health care subsidies work? According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), anyone who is at an income level of 400% or less of the federal poverty levels can qualify for tax credits to help them cover the cost of health insurance. These subsidies are available in your specific state and can be applied for during the open enrollment period, which ends February 15^th.

If, however, you work somewhere that offers affordable health insurance and you choose not to accept a plan through your workplace, you will not qualify for subsidies. The same is true if you are eligible for coverage through Medicare. The government is committed to helping every American get the health care he or she needs, but if you choose to opt out of perfectly good coverage there will be no aid for you. That is because your job-based plan counts as the now federally mandated minimum essential coverage. Securing a plan through your workplace will also help you avoid the tax penalties that could be assessed if you do not have coverage.

To understand how your employer’s coverage affects your subsidy eligibility and what to do if you want a plan other than the one offered through your workplace, do not hesitate to contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today. Located in Redlands, we are here to help you secure the best protection for you and your family today. Connect with a certified agent; call us today!

January 9, 2015September 8, 2016

California Ranked 17th Healthiest State in the U.S.

How The Health Of California Has Changed In The Last Year

The American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention released their annual report on the health rankings of America on December 10^th. The report listed a ranking of all fifty states from healthiest to least healthy as well as information on cancer, preventable diseases, and chronic conditions in the United States.

To calculate their rankings, the organizations considered twenty-seven health metrics, including obesity, immunization rates, infectious diseases, and cancer-related deaths. After compiling the numbers, they released the full ranking with Hawaii emerging as the most healthy state and Mississippi at the bottom of the list.

The report showed that nationally, there has been a 7 percent increase in obesity in the last year and a 3 percent increase in sedentary lifestyles. Fortunately, there was also good news. 3 percent fewer adults are smoking and 4 percent fewer cases of infant mortality were reported, while 5 percent more adolescent American have received the immunizations they need.

California came in 17^th overall, with nearly a 1 percent drop in obesity, from 25 in 2013 to 24.1 this year. The number of smokers also decreased slightly, from 12.6 to 12.5 percent. Unfortunately, the number of California residents with diabetes has increased by 15 percent in the last two years.

The report showed that the biggest health challenges Californians face are significant amounts of air pollution, a great inequality in the health status of high school graduates vs. those without high school diplomas, and a moderate rate of violent crime.

Fortunately for Californians who care about their health, a certified Covered California agent like the ones at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can help you get the health insurance you need to care for your body in every season of life. With open enrollment going on right now, do not hesitate to contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in Redlands, California, to secure the best Covered California-compliant protection for you and your family today.

November 28, 2014September 8, 2016

“Metal Level” Insurance Categories: Explained!

Open enrollment 2015 is finally upon us! Now is the time to be consumed with thoughts of health care in order to financially prepare yourself for the future. If you are preparing for the important decision of selecting your new health plan, you are probably aware that there are a number of different insurance categories to choose from. The categories differ based on how medical expenses will be shared between you and your plan.

Five main categories currently exist, and are known in the health care world as “metal levels”. The different levels take an individual’s monthly premium, coinsurance, copay, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum into consideration. Here is a break down of the metal levels:

With a bronze level plan, you will pay approximately 40%, while your health plan will cover 60%.
In a silver plan, the costs are split into 70%, and 30%. You will pay the 30%, and your health care plan will pay about 70%.
With a gold level plan, you will only pay about 20%! Your health plan will cover the remaining 80%!
A platinum level health plan will pay all but 10%. The remaining 10% will be up to you.
Catastrophic coverage plans are only applicable for individuals under the age of 30! Those with this type of plan will also need to qualify for a hardship exemption. Catastrophic coverage plans pay under 60% of health expenses.

In order to choose the right plan for your needs, at a price that you can afford, you must consult with a Certified Covered California Broker. These individuals have the experience necessary to provide you with quality health care advice. Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services to get in contact with a broker, and make the open enrollment process much easier!

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.

Category: Insurance