June 14, 2013

By Katie Banks+

With the Affordable Care Act’s Exchange quickly approaching, Hawaii Health Connector announced that it has awarded Maximus Health Services, Inc. $12 million to develop and manage the Connector’s customer service contact center (until 2017). Maximus Health Services will help answer questions about the new ObamaCare metal plans: Bronze Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan

Hawaii Health Connector plans to have a 7 day a week service beginning in September to help the residents by phone, email, fax, and web chat. 

“Awarding this contract is another key milestone for the Connector and increases our momentum for October’s open enrollment,” said Coral Andrews, Hawai‘i Health Connector’s executive director.  “Ensuring quality customer service and community outreach to Hawai‘i residents remain priorities for Connector staff.”

Contact 800-930-7956 with any questions in regards to Hawaii’s Healthcare Exchange or contact Medicoverage.

May 31, 2013

By Amy De Vore+

The Affordable Care Act helps the uninsured in a few ways. For instance, in the LA Times today there was an article about a woman making $12.68 an hour, mother of one child, lives in Los Angeles, and recently choose to forego surgery because she was uninsured. As of January 1st this woman would have options for health coverage.

How the Affordable Care Act Helps Uninsured

She isn’t qualified for Medicaid, however since she works she may qualify for job-based insurance as 2015. Until then and if her employer doesn’t offer insurance she would qualify for premium subsidies and cost-sharing subsidies, and her daughter would qualify for Medi-Cal.

Costs for Lower-Income Families

The article doesn’t state how old she is, but if she is 30, her Silver plan premium could be as low as $93 a month and her deductible would be reduced from $2000 to $500, and a reduced maximum out of pocket from $6,350 to $2,250. This would apply to any single parent to one child living in the Los Angeles area, making her salary.

How do Lower-Income Families and Individuals Get Insurance?

First, it’s important to remember for anyone purchasing a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace you need your W2 paperwork and financial information handy like child support, alimony, assets. Then you can either go directly through your state’s newly established call center’s navigators or you can go through your insurance agent. Many don’t realize that agents can help with on and off-Exchange plans.

Lower Income Seniors

Seniors do not have to do anything as of January 1st. Seniors stay on Medicare and do not apply for the new metal plans. Make sure your friends and parents are aware that there is nothing for them to do, because states are vocally expressing their concerns about seniors being tricked by scammers into giving away personal information due to the lack of awareness in regards to the ACA.

To learn if you qualify for a subsidy call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.