Open Enrollment Period Archives - Page 2 of 4

How to Avoid Astronomical Out-of-Pocket Medical Bills in 2022, Even if You Contract Covid

New reports surfacing show that people who dealt with Covid-19 in 2021 are now facing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs from their hospitals, doctors, and ambulance companies. When the pandemic first started in 2020, doctors and hospitals were waiving fees such as co-pays and deductibles, when it came to Covid patients. That is no longer the case, leaving many people surprised with devastating out-of-pocket medical bills of $3,000 or more. Find out how you can avoid these debilitating costs this year.

Average Medical Charges

evelope with the words final notice on it coming out of a red mailbox — *People have been getting astronomical medical charges due to Covid hospitalization and treatment.*

The average Covid hospitalization costs approximately $40,000, researchers have found; many patients with job-related or self-purchased private insurance who did not have a waiver for medical services had to pay on average about $3,800 out-of-pocket for hospital care or other medical services due to Covid.

The study also suggests that insurer cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 hospitalizations don’t always cover all hospital-related care. Overall, about 71% of insured patients who had a waiver still received a bill for any hospitalization, with an average cost of $788.

So why were Covid patients required to pay so much more out-of-pocket medical bills in 2021 than they were in 2020? Well, as already pointed out above, most insurance companies stopped waiving fees, changing their policies once the Covid vaccines became readily available to the public.

“Many insurers claim that it is justified to charge patients for COVID-19 hospitalizations now that COVID-19 vaccines are widely available,” said study lead author Dr. Kao-Ping Chua, a health policy researcher and pediatrician at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor.

“However, some people hospitalized for COVID-19 aren’t eligible for vaccines, such as young children, while others are vaccinated patients who experienced a severe breakthrough infection. Our study suggests these patients could [have] substantial bills,” Chua said in a university news release.

How Can You Avoid These Charges?

The first way to avoid these charges? Protect yourself by getting the Covid vaccine. With that being said, even if you are vaccinated, you can still get a breakthrough infection, and you can still expect a bill if you seek care. So, the best way to avoid these charges is with a comprehensive and affordable health insurance plan: there are plenty of health insurance plans that will cover the majority of the costs, you just need to find the right one. In fact, with the right insurance plan, you could receive a waiver if you are hospitalized due to Covid, saving you usually around $2,000 or more.

Fortunately, you still have time: the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) has been extended until January 15 this year, so speak to an EZ agent now about how to enroll in a great plan without having to wait for a Special Enrollment Period qualification. Nobody should have to go without health insurance, especially during these difficult times, so if you would like to review options in your area, contact a local licensed EZ agent. Our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, making comparing plans fast and easy. To get free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

Start the New Year Right with These Healthcare Tips

The new year is here, and we could all definitely use a better year than we’ve had the past couple of years. Maybe you’ve made some resolutions to help make this a better year – but is being healthier one of those resolutions? If not, it should be, because the healthier you are, the better you feel! One of the best ways to get healthier is by having great health insurance, and since the Open Enrollment Period is still ongoing, you still have the chance to find a plan that meets your needs and your budget. But aside from being insured, here are some other things you can do for your health that will help you start off the year right!

Schedule A Physical

blood pressure cuff next to other medical instruments on the wall — *It is very important to catch any hidden issues you might have by getting a yearly physical.*

92% of Americans agree that it is important to get an annual physical, however only 62% actually do get a physical. If you haven’t been having a yearly physical, now is the time to get on it! It’s very important to have your annual checkup, because having one allows your doctor to catch any early symptoms of issues that you may be unaware of. Annual checkups help you keep your relationship with your doctor going, and allow them to understand you and your needs better: they can track your health conditions, and help you stay on top of them, by recommending routines or prescribing medications that will help.

Get Your Teeth Cleaned

According to a study by Delta Dental, 31% of Americans fail to brush their teeth at least twice a day, with 2% admitting to not brushing at all. That’s a pretty alarming statistic! Not only that, but only 79% of people who have dental insurance, and 50% of people without dental coverage, actually see the dentist once every year. It’s very important to get your teeth checked twice a year by a dentist in order to prevent cavities, and to avoid a root canal in the future.

In addition, if you aren’t brushing properly and seeing your dentist regularly, you could develop gum disease or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has been associated with higher risk of kidney disease, dementia, and certain types of cancers, so make sure to call your dentist and schedule an appointment!

Get Your Eyes Checked

Did you know that 5% of Americans have never even seen an eye doctor? 46% of people haven’t had an appointment in the past year, with 1 in 6 seeing an eye doctor more than two years ago! If you think your eyes are healthy because you can see well, and that you don’t need to go to the eye doctor, you could end up with an undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment. In fact, 16 million Americans have an undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Dr. Chris Marquardt, a recent past president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association, says many people equate good vision with healthy eyes, but that isn’t always the case:

“..There are a lot of conditions that can be detected in a regular eye exam, an in-person exam with a Doctor of Optometry. You may go years without seeing any sorts of signs or symptoms. Things like glaucoma, macular degeneration, even systemic things like diabetes or high blood pressure can be going on in the back of the eyes and you would never know it…”

So what are you waiting for? Get your eyes checked!

Is It Time For A Mammogram Or Colonoscopy?

Going to get a mammogram or a colonoscopy is probably not anywhere near the top of your list of things you want to do – the words alone are enough to send people running, but these screenings are very important. If you are the recommended age for these tests, you need to make an appointment and get the mammogram, or colonoscopy as soon as you can.

Consider this: according to information released by John Hopkins Medical Center, “40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” So, if you examine yourself and find a lump, get checked right away! That also means, though, that 60% of diagnosed breast cancers are found by other means, so make sure you’re seeing your gynecologist regularly, and scheduling mammograms every year after you turn 40. anatomy of the stomach

As for your colon health? “There are more than 20 million adults in this country who haven’t had any recommended screening for colorectal cancer and who may therefore get cancer and die from a preventable tragedy,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Screening for colorectal cancer is effective and can save your life.”

Get Great Insurance

One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family is getting a comprehensive health insurance plan that will allow you to see the above doctors, and have the screenings that can keep you healthy. EZ.Insure can help you find a great plan that will save you money on your doctor visits, medications, and monthly premiums. Because our agents work with the top-rated insurance insurance companies in the nation, we can search through all the available plans in your area and find the right one for you. And all of our services are free of charge! No hassle or obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Which States Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchanges?

The Open Enrollment Period is almost over: you only have until January 15 to purchase or change your plan! With that being said, though, some states have chosen to extend their deadline; they can do this because, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), each state can run its own health insurance exchange, or Marketplace, in which people can shop for health insurance.

This state-based Marketplace is a government agency that is created and maintained by the state, and that offers subsidized ACA plans for residents of that state. You can buy a plan from your state’s Marketplace, or you have the option of buying off-exchange coverage from an insurance company; if you do this, you will not get premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions– those are only available through the exchange. So which states run their own Marketplaces and what does that mean for you?

State-Run Vs. Federally Run Exchanges

When the ACA was passed in 2010, it provided funding and laid out rules for states to be able to establish their own exchanges; if states chose not to have their own exchange, the federal government would then step in and offer insurance for that state’s residents. So, many states chose to do it themselves so they could have more control of their Marketplace, and make it more profitable and sustainable. The federally run exchange, accessible through Healthcare.gov, is used in 36 states. The other 14 states (and Washington D.C.) have their own exchanges.

States With Their Own Exchanges:

California (Covered California)
- Deadline is January 31
Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado)
Connecticut (Access Health CT)
District of Columbia (DC Health Link)
Idaho (Your Health Idaho)
Maryland (Maryland Health Connection)
Massachusetts (Massachusetts Health Connector)
- Deadline is January 23
Minnesota (MNsure)
Nevada (Nevada Health Link)
New Jersey (Get Covered NJ)
- Deadline is January 31
New York (New York State of Health)
Pennsylvania (Pennie)
Rhode Island (HealthSource RI)
- Deadline is January 31
Vermont (Vermont Health Connect)
Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder)

If you live in a state that has its own exchange, your health insurance plan options and prices might be a little different than if you only have the option of using Healthcare.gov or going off-exchange. In addition, depending on where you live, your OEP might be extended! But just because your state is in control of the Marketplace, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great affordable ACA-compliant health insurance plan that is right for you by working with an EZ agent.

Looking For Insurance?

The best way to get the right plan for you and your needs is by working with a licensed health insurance agent. At EZ, our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, in every state! We will connect you with a local agent who will go over your medical needs and budget, and sift through all the available plans in minutes. We’ll quickly find you a plan that will save you money – especially now, with the premium subsidies President Biden has extended to all Americans. You could save hundreds of dollars a year! No hassle and no obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

4 Reasons You NEED to Pay Attention to ACA Open Enrollment This Year

The past couple of years have been unpredictable to say the least, bringing hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and deaths due to Covid-19, as well as job losses and financial struggles to many. Because of all of this, it is more important now than ever to make sure you and your family are insured. Now is the time to do that: the ACA Open Enrollment Period is here, giving you the opportunity to find a great plan or make changes to the plan you already have. Don’t put it off, especially since this year there are so many reasons you need to pay attention to the Open Enrollment Period.

1. More Options

option written with arrows around it pointing in different directions — *More health insurance options are added in your area every year.*

One of the most important reasons to look around during the Open Enrollment Period is that you simply might not be aware of all the options for plans and savings that are available to you. In fact, KFF polling finds that public awareness about ACA coverage options has fallen somewhat since the law passed a decade ago: for example, 59% of the public knows the ACA offers subsidies for marketplace health plans, compared to 75% ten years ago.

The ACA is constantly changing and growing, providing more Americans with health insurance than ever before, both because of expanded access to subsidies and because some health insurance companies have been expanding into new areas and offering new health insurance plans around the country. That means you have more options than before, so there could be a better, more affordable health insurance plan out there that will provide you with more coverage.

2. Greater Need For Insurance

The pandemic has proven just how necessary health insurance really is. Sure, Covid-19 testing and vaccines are free, but what if you or your loved one needs to be hospitalized? Without insurance, you would not be covered for the hospital bill you or your family would receive when being treated for Covid or any other illness, which could leave you with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. That could be avoided by having the right health insurance.

And what if you lost your job like millions of other Americans? If you did, you probably lost your health benefits along with your job; but just because you’ve lost your job, doesn’t mean you can’t still find affordable health insurance with the help of an EZ agent. With all of the subsidies now available, you could possibly even pay $0 in premiums, which we will discuss later.

change ahead sign in green and white with an arrow pointing upward — *Almost all health insurance plans will have changes in their plans, including price increase for the following year.*

3. Changes to Plans

Less than half of all Americans (43%) know that Open Enrollment is the only time to sign up for Marketplace plans, meaning not only do many people miss out on signing up for health insurance, but many others don’t use the time to review their plans and make sure they’re still right for them. This is a big mistake, because your plan might actually have changes coming to it for the new year. For example, rates will most likely go up next year, and some plans will drop doctors and other providers from their network, while others will add more. Be aware of the changes to your plan and any other plans in your area, otherwise you might miss out on the right one for you!

4. More Savings

Now onto the savings you can expect to see this Open Enrollment Period! Thanks to President Biden and his American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), you could qualify for a subsidized health insurance plan if your modified adjusted gross income is over 400% of the federal poverty level. For 2021, that’s about $51,040 for an individual. The ARPA also requires that Americans pay no more than 8.5% of their income on health insurance premiums, and provides a larger tax credit to people who already receive financial assistance.

What does that mean for the average American? For most, ACA premiums will decrease by about $50 per month, while one administration official emphasized that 4 out of 5 people enrolling “will be able to purchase a plan for $10 or less per month.” This could make a huge difference in the lives of the 14.9 million people who are currently not insured in the U.S.

Comparing plans is the best way to find an affordable plan that provides the right level of coverage for you. Before you start doing the work of comparing on your own, come to EZ. We will make the process quicker and easier by comparing available plans in your area in minutes. Our licensed agents work with all the top-rated insurance companies in the nation and can go over your budget and needs, and find the best plan for you and your family – and we do all of this at no cost to you. To get free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly with an agent, call 888-350-1890.

Can You Be Denied Coverage During the Open Enrollment Period?

The ACA Open Enrollment Period is the only time of the year when everyone can enroll in a health insurance plan. But can literally anyone enroll, or is there any reason you can be denied coverage during this time? The short answer to this question is no: the whole idea behind the creation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to make sure everyone could get insurance. But being allowed to get insurance is different from insurance being accessible to all – so how does the ACA remove all the barriers to getting insurance and make everyone truly able to get the plan they need?

What The ACA Has Done for Millions

Before the ACA was passed in 2010, you could have been denied a health insurance plan simply because you had a pre-existing condition. That meant a huge amount of Americans were unable to find affordable health insurance: approximately 43% of U.S. households report having pre-existing conditions. And indeed, health insurance was out of reach for many before 2010: when the ACA went into effect approximately 46.5 million people, or 17.8% of the total nonelderly population, were uninsured.

But the ACA, with its Patients’ Bill of Rights that prohibits insurers from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions or revoking your coverage because of an unintentional mistake on an application, changed everything. 31 million people have enrolled in health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act since it was enacted, and that is a huge accomplishment! But there has been criticism over the years that health insurance, while available to everyone, was still not accessible to everyone – but that has all changed.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan

illustration of a cell phone with a money sign on it and dollar bills behind it — *The American Rescue Plan Act has offered more people the ability to save more money on their health insurance premiums.*

save afcad

Earlier this year, President Biden passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which has made health insurance far more affordable for far more people. It extended premium tax credits to more Americans by allowing people who earn over 400% of the federal poverty level to receive subsidies to purchase health insurance through the ACA Marketplace; it also requires that Americans pay no more than 8.5% of their income on health insurance premiums, and provides a larger tax credit to people who already receive financial assistance.

What all of this means is cheaper premiums! For most people, premiums will be at least $50 per month cheaper, while some people might pay $0 in premiums. With the new law:

An individual making $19,000 or less per year will not have to pay a monthly premium for health insurance.
Couples who earn less than $70,000 together will save $1,000 per month on their health insurance monthly premiums.
A family of 4 with an income of $90,000 will pay about $200 less in health insurance premiums.

The bottom line is you can never be denied health insurance coverage during the Open Enrollment Period; not only that, but insurance is now affordable for everyone, so there is no reason you can’t get a plan that is right for you. It is important to note, though, that the Open Enrollment Period is the only time you will be able to get coverage: if you miss the OEP, you will have to wait until next year’s OEP, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Don’t let this period pass you by – it’s the perfect (and only) time to get a great affordable health insurance plan!

Need Help?

If you have any further questions, or need help finding a plan during the Open Enrollment Period, an EZ agent can help you. We will provide you with a local licensed agent who will search all available plans in your area and find the best one for your medical and financial needs. We will also double check to see if you qualify for any subsidies to save you even more money. All of our services are done in minutes and at no cost to you. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent call 888-350-1890.

What Happens If I Don’t Do Anything During The Open Enrollment Period?

The ACA Open Enrollment Period only comes around once a year, usually lasting from November 1- December 15, although this year the deadline has been extended to January 15. During this period, you can enroll in a new health insurance plan, or make changes to your current plan. If you’re happy with your current plan, though, you might opt to not do anything at all during the Open Enrollment Period – but not doing anything can have certain consequences, depending on your situation.

You Could Get Stuck With Your Current Plan

This might not necessarily be a bad thing if you are happy with your current plan, but if your plan isn’t quite right for you, you will unfortunately be stuck with it until the next Open Enrollment Period opens up again.

You’ll Miss The Opportunity To Change Your Plan

If you don’t take the opportunity to review your current plan and do nothing during the Open Enrollment Period, you won’t be able to change your plan. What this really means is that your health insurance might:

Not provide enough coverage for the following year, which will cost you money.
Have too much coverage that you don’t need, essentially leaving you to pay for insurance that you don’t need.
Be too expensive. If you don’t change your plan during the OEP, you’ll be stuck with the rise in rates and costs for the following year.

Options Are Limited Afterwards

If you don’t have health insurance and are looking to enroll in a plan, but you do nothing during the Open Enrollment Period, you won’t be able to get a Marketplace or exchange health insurance plan – in other words, you won’t be able to get an ACA-compliant health plan. With that being said, you do have other options even if you miss the OEP, but you should be aware that they are very limited. For example, you can opt to get a short-term health insurance plan that covers the essentials and nothing more; this type of 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.

You Will Need To Qualify For an SEP

The only way to get an affordable health insurance plan that is ACA-compliant outside of the OEP is to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or SEP. A Special Enrollment Period is only available to those who have a qualifying life event, including: movers with boxes and a truck and houses in the background

Change in residence (moving to a different zip code or county)
Change in household size (having a baby or adopting a child, getting married, or getting divorced)
Loss of health insurance (losing employment, turning 26 and getting kicked off of a parent’s plan, or a death in the family)
Changes in income

Don’t Do Nothing…

Compare plans! There’s no harm in comparing plans and seeing your options before the Open Enrollment Period ends. But we get that it can be a headache to try and research all the different plans around, so we’re here to help! Our highly trained agents will take the time to talk with you and thoroughly explain all of your options. Once you are ready to enroll, they will search through all the plans in your area and find the right plan for you, making sure the plan fits your needs and budget. EZ always provides you with your own personal agent, so there’s never any need to worry about bouncing around from agent to agent or getting hassled by endless sales calls. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent directly, call 888-350-1890.

Tag: Open Enrollment Period