bernardini & donovan insurance services

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.

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 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.

May 7, 2014September 8, 2016

When Can I Sign Up for Medicare Part A and Part B?

Of all the government assistance programs out there, people tend to have the most questions about Medicare. It’s true that this government-run health insurance plan can be confusing, because it is so detailed. However, if you just know a few basics about it, it will make learning the rest so much easier.

First of all, you become eligible for Medicare at age 65, regardless of whether or not you are still working or have retired. You can use it in conjunction with your employer-sponsored health insurance while you’re still working, or if you’re able to retain that insurance after you retire. Medicare then acts like a backup insurance plan to cover the things your primary insurance doesn’t cover, such as co-pays. You can also get Medicare if you are legally disabled, regardless of your age.

When you first become eligible for Medicare, you are automatically signed up for Part A. Part A covers hospitalization and all the expenses involved with a hospital trip or stay. Part A is free. You have the option of signing up for Part B when you enroll in Part A, though it’s not required. Part B covers doctor visits, lab work, and any medical work outside of a hospital, except prescriptions. You have to pay a small monthly premium for Part B.

If you don’t sign up for Part B when you first get Medicare, you have the option of signing up for it during the open enrollment period each year. However, the longer you wait, the higher your premium will be, so it’s best to get it right away. Another important thing to remember is that if you’re legally disabled and getting disability payments from the government, you must wait two years after becoming legally disabled before you become eligible for Medicare.

For more information about Medicare in California, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands!

May 2, 2014September 8, 2016

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

With the arrival of spring, almost everyone wants to head outside for fun. However, most people do not protect themselves from the sun and thus get skin cancer. The bad news is that 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. The good news is that skin cancer prevention is easy. Here are tips from the Skin Cancer foundation.

Cover Up Before Going Out

Wear wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves in light fabrics when spending long times in the sun. If it’s impractical to wear long sleeves, then use sunscreen. Remember to use 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to help protect your entire body.

Check Your Skin Every Month

Take a few minutes every month to check your skin for strange colorations, new moles or red patches that will not go away. Remember to check in between fingers and toes, behind the ears and under your armpits. Women should lift their breasts to see under them for any strange lumps or bumps.

You can help to prevent skin cancer but you can’t protect yourself from everything. If you live in California and want to know how insurance can help protect you and your family, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services located in Redlands.

April 28, 2014September 8, 2016

Medicare Part C: Five Facts You Should Know

Considering Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans? Here are few factors that could help you make a sound decision:

1. Medicare Supplement plans do not replace the government Medicare programs. Supplement plans, also known as Part C plans, cover additional benefits not covered by Medicare Parts A & B.

2. Part C plans do not cover prescription drugs. You need a Medicare Part D plan, usually sold separately, to gain prescription benefits.

3. Although you may have heard otherwise, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has not eliminated Part C plans. The new health law does affect how insurers are reimbursed, which could lead some plans to change or eliminate some services.

4. Every Medicare Supplement insurer offers the same standard benefits. You should choose a plan based on its reputation, customer service and cost.

5. Medicare Supplement Insurance has an Open Enrollment window. The first takes place within three months before or after you turn 65. If you change your mind about having Medicare Supplement Insurance after that, you can add coverage or go back to standard Medicare during an annual Open Enrollment window.

Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can help you review your options and decide what kind of Medicare coverage works for you. To learn more or make an appointment, contact us.

April 23, 2014September 8, 2016

Are You Eligible for Medicare?

Medicare offers older Americans many health benefits to offset the high cost of medical care. The following guidelines can help you determine if you qualify for what Medicare has to offer.

Individuals age 65 or over qualify for Medicare if:

They are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents and
They or their spouse are eligible for Social Security benefits, even if they’re not receiving them yet. (Applicants must have earned at least 40 credits for approximately 10 years of employment)
They are government employees or retirees who have paid Medicare taxes during employment
Applicants can qualify on their spouse’s employment record if their spouse is 62 and they are 65 or older. This includes a divorced spouse or one who is deceased. Individuals qualifying for Medicare through same sex marriages must live in a state that recognizes this status.

Individuals under 65 qualify for Medicare if:

They have been receiving SS disability benefits for 2 years or receive disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board
They have Lou Gehrig’s disease
They suffer from kidney failure and have paid SS taxes for a specific time period.

For more information on Medicare eligibility as a health insurance option in California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services located in Redlands, CA.

April 18, 2014September 8, 2016

Qualify for Special Enrollment Periods

If you missed the health insurance deadline on March 31, you may still qualify for one of the Special Enrollment Periods to access the Healthcare Marketplace. These are 60-day windows to enroll after certain “life events” that change your individual or family status from the open enrollment time frames.

Special Enrollment Periods

Along with some specified life events, should you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you are able to apply for coverage at any time. Otherwise, you need to meet guidelines for special enrollment periods with “qualifying life events.” Examples of these events include the following items.

Marriage,
Divorce,
Birth of a child,
Loss of employment, and
Moving to a new state.

All of these events change your status, qualifying you for special enrollment periods that allow you to access the Healthcare Marketplace after open enrollment dates. Additional qualification limitations apply, including —

The state in which you live or to which you move,
Your household size, and
Evidence of new disability.

You should check with your state to learn how it interprets qualification rules for special enrollment periods. State requirements can also differ for application to Medicaid or CHIP, so investigate or get expert advice.

If you want some valuable advice, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. The professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can answer your questions about special enrollment periods, details of different health insurance coverage, give you quotes and advise you on how to protect yourself, your family and/or your business.

February 7, 2014September 8, 2016

Medicare Advantage Part D Plans Explained

Chances are, you’re acutely aware of how much prescription drugs cost. Without adequate insurance coverage, you stand to pay hundreds of dollars each month for maintenance drugs and those your doctor prescribes when you become ill.

Fortunately, Medicare Part D Plans provide coverage for prescription drugs. If you have traditional fee-for-service through Medicare, you will have to purchase a separate Part D plan to ensure you have prescription drug coverage.

However, if you opt for a Medicare Advantage plan, prescription drug coverage is included. Be sure to get an Advantage plan called an “MA-PD” plan. These plans provide Medicare Part A and B coverage as well as prescription drug coverage. You’ll get all your Medicare benefits included in one convenient plan that ultimately saves time and money.

There is a wide variety of Medicare Advantage plans from which California residents can select. To learn more, please contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services for help selecting the plan that best meets your needs.

February 3, 2014September 8, 2016

Costs & Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans

When considering Medicare Advantage Plans, it helps to take a closer look at their benefits and costs so that you can more easily understand the plans.

As you may know, these plans contract annually with Medicare and a fixed monthly amount gets paid by Medicare. That amount can change yearly, based on Medicare, and varies by county.

The nice thing about these plans is that they sometimes offer coverage for things that Medicare does not cover. This can include things like eye exams, prescription coverage and dental visits, but it does vary by county.

You should know that there is a monthly premium for these plans and it is in addition to the Medicare Part B premium.

While some services under these plans require co-payment, they are often at a lower amount than the Medicare fees. And legally the amount is not allowed to exceed the Medicare fee amount.

If you want more information on Medicare Advantage Plans, then contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services today.

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