ACA: Maryland Small Business Delay, Brokers Step in to Enroll
November 30, 2013 By Katie Banks+
Maryland announced that it is delaying its SHOP enrollment launch until April 1, 2014. Small businesses may still receive SHOP tax credits and enroll through an agent or broker for health insurance that begins January 1, 2014.
Don’t Wait to Enroll in SHOP in April
Employers and employees need to know that if you enroll in a SHOP (Small Business Health Option) plan after April 1, you will still owe an ACA penalty (tax) for the months you were without insurance. If you are a business owner and want to enroll your business into SHOP contact an agent at 800-930-7956. If you are employee who will not receive job-based insurance go to Healthapplication.com to fill out your paper Obamacare Health Exchange Application.
For further questions about SHOP plans or individual/family plans contact Medicoverage.
Maryland Extends ACA Enrollment
November 23, 2013 By Katie Banks+
The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange announced today that they extended their ObamaCare enrollment to December 23, 2013 for a January 1, 2014 start date. Carriers will accept payment from consumers through January 15, 2014. The extension is 8 days past the federal enrollment date. This is for the ACA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans sold on the Maryland health insurance marketplace.
For questions about plans and deadlines in your state call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.
Maryland ACA Exchange Rates
September 21, 2013 By Amy De Vore+
Maryland Health Connection released that its Exchange rates are among the lowest in the country to date. The new plans are called the Bronze Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan.
Maryland Exchange Rates
The following are rates for individuals purchasing off the Maryland Health Insurance Marketplace. The rates below are estimates and do not include subsidies. Check with your agent for your specific monthly premium.
| ACA Plan
|
Bronze
21 Years
|
Bronze
25 Years
|
Bronze
27 Years
|
Silver
50 Years
|
Silver
55 Years
|
Silver
60 Years
|
| Average Rate
|
$114 - $123
|
$114 - $124
|
$119 - $129
|
$260 -$269
|
$325 - $335
|
$395 - $408
|
3 out of 4 MD Uninsured Residents Will Get Subsidies
According to Maryland’s website 75% of their currently uninsured residents will receive one or both of the following federal subsidies:
Remember agents like Medicoverage are able to help you with on and off-Exchange plans (plans available outside of the Marketplace) at no cost. To learn your specific premium in your state call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.
How the Affordable Care Act Helps the Uninsured
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.
