Turning 26? Your Guide To Getting Health Insurance

The time has come. You made it to 26 with health insurance coverage through your parents. But now your birthday is approaching  and are getting kicked off your parent’s health insurance plan. You may be wondering if you can stay on your parents’ health insurance longer. The answer to this is, unfortunately, no. You will get kicked off the plan at

Birthday cake with canles "26" on it lit.
When you turn 26 years old, tjere is a deadline for your hralth insurance. You will have to get your own plan.

either the end of the month that you turn 26, or at the end of the year.  Its inevitable, but where do you start?

The Options

If you are employed, then you can join your company’s health insurance plan if they have one. Another option is to hop on your spouse’s health plan if you are married. If none of these options apply to you, then your only choice is to get your own health insurance plan. Those options are:

 

  • Long-term Plans

 

When you turn 26, you qualify for a special enrollment period for Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You also have the option of getting private insurance in which licensed health insurance agents are able to create a policy that is unique to your specific needs using a full spectrum of different insurance companies. It is important to shop around because these plans are sometimes cheaper than the marketplace insurance plans. Long-term plans offer more comprehensive coverage. These plans help manage day to day expenses and are convenient for those that require routine medical work, such as medication, lab work, and inpatient/outpatient services. Major medical health insurance complies with the ACA requirements which means it provides the ten essential health benefits.

Essentially, when you are over 26 years old and are no longer on your parent’s plan, then a major medical plan is best if you are looking for coverage of pre-existing conditions, and need routine medical work , such as medication,

Two signs that say short-term and long-term on them pointing in different directions.
The two options for health insurance are short-term and long-term. Short term plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, only the basics.  If you need comprehensive coverage, long-term is best.

lab work, and inpatient and outpatient services. Major medical health insurance complies with the ACA requirements which means it provides the ten essential health benefits. These ten essential benefits are: ambulatory patient services, prescription drugs, emergency care, mental health services, hospitalization, rehabilitative services, preventative and wellness services, laboratory services, pediatric care, and maternity and newborn care.

 

  • Short-Term Plans

 

Unlike long-term plans, their short-term counterparts do not need a qualifying life event to enroll. Short term health insurance provides fast, flexible insurance with many benefits. These plans can be extended up to 3 years, and you can pick your deductible amount from many options. You are also able to drop coverage without a penalty if you want to change to a long term insurance option. Premiums are lower than ACA health insurance plans, and you get coverage as soon as a day after applying.

It is important to understand that short-term insurance is temporary and not ideal for those who require more comprehensive coverage or have health conditions. Short term plans are not guaranteed issue, meaning they do not cover pre-existing conditions. They only cover the basics. 

When you consider purchasing health insurance, you have to think about how much you want to pay, the coverage provided, and which term length is best for you. It can be quite overwhelming when you embark on this new journey. EZ.Insure can help. We will provide you with a highly trained agent within your area that can provide you quotes and plans from all the different health insurance companies in your region. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above. Or to speak to an agent call 888-350-1890, or email [email protected]. We will go over everything with you and help you decide if this plan best suits your needs. If it does not, then we will direct you to other plans.

OEP Deadlines and Extensions

Are you completely happy with your health insurance? The 2019 open enrollment period has officially begun on November 1st, and will continue until December 15, 2018, lasting six weeks. During this time is when you can sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Last year was the first time the enrollment was shortened to just 6 weeks, and it continues this year as well. With the shortened deadline continuing, it is important to review your health insurance coverage, compare others, and sign up before the December 15. Some states this year have extended the period. Find out which states and how long you have depending where you live.

Some states have extended the open enrollment deadline for 2019 healh insurance.
Some states have extended the open enrollment deadline for 2019 healh insurance.

Extended States

The states that have participated in open enrollment with extensions are:

  • California, October 15, 2018 – January 15, 2019
  • Colorado,  November 1, 2018 – January 12, 2019
  • District of Columbia,  November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019
  • Massachusetts,  November 1, 2018 – January 23, 2019
  • Minnesota, November 1, 2018 – January 13, 2019
  • New York,  November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019
  • Rhode Island, November 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018

Three more states have the opportunity to extend their open enrollment period. The states that did so last year last minute, and can do it again are:

  • Connecticut, November 1, 2017 – December 22, 2017
  • Maryland, November 1, 2017 – December 22, 2017
  • Washington, November 1, 2017 – January 15, 2018

Other Changes

Another change to keep in mind during the open enrollment is that if you have missed payments in the past, then you can not sign up. The loophole that used to let people stop paying premiums at the end of the year and still be able to sign up is over. If all of your premiums are not paid for the 2018 year, then you will not beale to sign up for

Make sure to sign up before time runs out.
Make sure to sign up before time runs out.

2019 health insurance.

If you decide to buy health insurance from the ACA, then you should start looking into plans now and purchase it before the end of the enrollment period. Once you buy a plan, coverage will begin January 1, 2019. If you miss the open enrollment period, the only other time you can sign up is during a special enrollment period due to a qualifying life event such as marriage, having a baby, or losing coverage. You will now have to provide the necessary paperwork proving the qualifying life event. Start researching as soon as possible your options so you do not run out of time.

The Spike In Holiday Death Rates

It has been said that more deaths occur during the holidays, and statistics show this to be true. Different reasons account to why people die or get hurt during the holidays. Knowing these issues, especially the medical ones such as high cholesterol, obesity, and heart-related deaths, will help you survive. Several studies show people have a greater chance of dying on Christmas, the day after, or on New Year’s Day than on any other day of the year. Why do so many deaths occur? What can you do to protect yourself and loved ones?

Traveling

People travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s so they can spend time with their families and loved ones. In 2012 there were 764 crashes during Thanksgiving travel, and 654 crashes during Christmas that led to at least one fatality. There were also almost 50,000 non-fatal accidents during Thanksgiving that year as well. The reason for the accidents is due to everyone being in a rush to get to their destination, or people driving after drinking alcohol. Snowy and icy road conditions contribute to the number of accidents as well.

Traveling and hanging decorations during the holidays leads to many injuries.
Traveling and hanging decorations during the holidays leads to many injuries.

Roads and walkways get icy from the snow and below freezing temperatures during winter months. We have all taken a tumble at least once in our lives because of an icy driveway or sidewalk. Some are lucky to have gotten up okay, while others end up with injuries. Take precaution when walking in icy conditions. Throw down salt on your driveway and walkway as much as needed after a snowfall and below freezing temps in order to prevent falls and injuries.

Decorating

In 2015, 14,000 people had to go to the hospital for injuries that happened while decorating. Hanging decorations is the leading cause of injuries during the holiday season. Decorating on the roof of your home, or up high where a ladder is required is dangerous. Make sure to check your ladder before you use it, and have a family member of friend help you. Also, if you plan to decorate,try to limit alcohol consumption. Some people will have a drink or two while getting in the spirit of decorating, which increases the likelihood of an accident. This is because when alcohol is in our system, we are less cautious than we normally would be.

Another reason for deaths and injuries is what most people least expect to happen, a fire. Fires can start from Christmas trees, candles, and lights. Over 200 fires happen in a home from Christmas trees igniting, while over 6,000 fires occur from candles.  A real Christmas tree can become too dry and cause a fire as well, so make sure it is fresh, and keep it away from heat sources. Make sure to check your lights for damage, and put out your candles before you go to sleep or leave the house. It is better to remember these little details in order to save your home,  and more importantly your family’s lives.

Health Conditions

Stress, sodium, sweets, and alcohol all partake in the holidays. But, they also partake in worsening health conditions during the holidays. This is especially true for heart-related illnesses. Most heart attacks occur during the holidays than at any other time of the year. It begins during Thanksgiving and continues until after the new year. Why? You might have guessed it has something to do with all the food and stress. It does. People consume a lot of salt, and alcohol during the season which raises a person’s chance of a heart attack. The emotions and stress accompanied with the holidays can be too much on a person’s heart. Some people do not handle stress and depression well, and their heart takes a hit. We have all heard of dying from a broken heart. It is true, your emotions play a big role on your heart health.

Many accidents and deaths occur during the holidays. Having insurance will help with medical bills and treatment.
Many accidents and deaths occur during the holidays. Having insurance will help with medical bills and treatment.

Other reasons of death include people forgetting their pills while traveling, or shoveling too much without taking breaks. A lot of times, people will hold off on seeking medical attention until after the holidays. They try not to make a fuss about their health issues while with their family during the holidays. Putting off any necessary medical attention will increase the chances of a serious condition worsening, or death.

Be Prepared

Make sure you are insured during the holiday season, because as studies have shown, you have a higher risk of getting hurt and ending up in the hospital during the holidays. Medical bills can add up quickly, and become very expensive. If you are not insured, or would like to seek better health insurance, EZ.Insure can help you find a plan, and set you up. We will provide you with quotes from the top carriers in your region so you don’t have to. We do all the work of researching, and comparing for you, for free! Get an instant quote by entering your zip code in the bar above. Or if you would like to speak to an agent, email [email protected], or call 888-350-1890. Be prepared this holiday season. De-stress as much as you can, and one way to do this is to make sure you are insured. We can provide this assurance. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays with peace of mind.

The Benefits of Using EZ.Insure

Comparing and finding the best health insurance, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Advantage plans can be a complicated process. Many people jump around different sites thinking that this will help them get the best price, but they are wrong. Shopping around like this can take up a lot of time , and it gives your information to tons of different companies. At EZ.Insure, we make it quick and easy and we make sure you work with one, and only one, agent who is there to make your life easier. Our purpose is to provide the best products and services at a fair price.

EZ.Insure provides ou something other agencies do not- your own personal agent.
EZ.Insure provides ou something other agencies do not- your own personal agent. No jumping around, and not hassle.

There are many advantages to using EZ.Insure, one being receiving your very own knowledgeable advisor. You will not be bounced around from one agent to the next, instead, you will be assigned to and receive help from just one. Every one of our licensed advisors is highly trained and knowledgeable about your region’s health insurance options. The agent will be able to explain all the benefit options because we make sure to pair you with someone who works in your specific area! Your advisor will assist you in applying for coverage that meets all of your needs, within your budget. Because of these attributes, we assure you the best experience in customer service.

What EZ.Insure offers:

No Obligation– When using EZ.Insure, you can cancel your plan at any time. You can even cancel during the underwriting process, and up to 10 days after you receive your policy. Insurance companies will not charge you until you are approved. Most importantly, you are not obligated to buy a plan until you are ready. You can utilize your personal advisor as much as necessary, to search and compare plans without any obligation to purchase until you are certain you found the right plan.

Protected Privacy– People should never worry about your information being sold or traded when doing business. While some businesses break that ethical code, EZ.Insure does not. We will never sell, trade, or give away your personal information to anyone, unless related to the processing of your application. We ensure confidentiality at all times with the use of advanced privacy technologies.  When you fill out our form along with quotes, you will immediately see the contact information of the agent you are being to assigned to. This ONE agent is the only person that will receive your information so you do not have to worry about dozens of agents calling and competing for your time.

Expanded Choices– EZ.Insure provides a wide selection of plans in your area so you can make the most informed decision for your healthcare needs. We do not benefit from whichever insurance company you choose to use. Our main goal is to provide you with plans from financially secure companies that provide the best service to their members. With all the plans we have to offer, you are sure to find a plan that meets your personal needs.

Our customer's needs are what is important to our team
Our customer’s needs are what is important to our team. EZ.Insure values providing the best plan at the most affordable price.

Fast Quotes– You do not have to wait for a long time to receive a quote, because once you answer a few quick questions, you will instantly get a list of plans to choose from. You can enter your zip code in the bar below to start getting quotes, it’s that simple.

Cost Effective– EZ.Insure can help you find plans with great benefits that cost less, even if you already have coverage. With our agency, you are guaranteed to save money.

At EZ.Insure, we are continuously researching the best information and technology to pass onto our customers. We offer more guidance than any other agency out there with our well equipped and informed agents in the industry. You will never have to worry about being bounced around from agent to agent, or receiving subpar information. Be informed of the top plans for your circumstances with the best price. Why do it the hard way, when you can do it the EZ way?

Start saving time and money by simply entering your zip code above to see quotes now or you can give one of our agents a call at 888-350-1890, or emailing us at [email protected].

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