The Following info pertains to Pennsylvania and New Jersey clients. For those in other states, click here!
So what’s new for 2020?
Many of the counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will see new options for 2020.
The federal government repealed the individual mandate (monetary fine paid at tax time for not having insurance) in 2019.
Although Pennsylvania no longer has the fine, New Jersey and few select states have kept the fine on a state level.
If you are healthy but sick of paying for stacked plans that include services you never use, I’m here to help you decide if a less expensive option serves your needs.
Please be careful of the junk “health plans” being sold by mass telemarketers and cleverly passed off as insurance. Read the fine print. “Health Plans” are NOT INSURANCE and will not catch you if you fall. Protect your income and assets with insurance which includes a STOP LOSS.
The maximum length of Short Term Medical was expanded to 12 months in states that support it. Pennsylvania has RETURNED to 12 month duration Short Term Medical plans, and United Healthcare was approved sell on October 25th! Click here to quote and enroll!
Short Term Medical requires that you answer a few basic medical questions, but this is the only Obamacare alternative that protects your income and assets with an out of pocket maximum or “stop loss”. Pair it with UHC’s (actually viable) Health Protector Guard for a more comprehensive insurance package! Quote UHC Options Now (I recommend a high deductible Short Term with a Health Protector Guard option that fits your budget).
I still have options available through a few local and national associations, so for those not eligible for the subsidy and in relatively good health there are options!
An important note to clients with Independence Blue Cross for 2020:
Last year there was a clear price divide between those consumers in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery Counties and those in Delaware and Chester Counties, with Centene coming into those three counties and not the other two. Centene is continuing to sell on-exchange plans under their Ambetter brand as ‘Pennsylvania Health and Wellness.’ These are available in Pennsylvania but only in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. For 2020, Oscar Health will be joining the party not only in those same 3 counties, but also in Chester and Delaware Counties. This means that Chester and Delaware County consumers with subsidies are in for a drastic price increase due to the decrease in subsidy dollars.
Oscar Health is an innovative carrier with a great phone app and new, transparent approach to helping everyone understand and feel secure with health insurance. They have been in New Jersey for some time and continue to expand. They invite you to nominate your provider to join! Check out their on and off-exchange options here
Consumers in these Delaware and Chester counties will find that their subsidies are not as high as in years past and hence will be paying more for their insurance. For example, those who were paying $0 for IBC Silver Proactive HMO in 2019 will increase to around $100 for 2019. Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia consumers will also see an increase on the IBX Silver Proactive HMO. Luckily Independence Blue Cross has a brand new plan, the “Silver Proactive Lite” which is a great alternative for consumers willing to take on a reasonable deductible for hospital services. There are still many copays outside of the deductible, in all 3 tiers.
So what’s new with Centene/Ambetter? Our parent company Custom Benefit Plans, Inc. has been working with Centene in many different states, where they are often the lowest-cost plans by far. In PA they have expanded their network to include some more hospitals and for the fully-subsidized consumer, they offer the lowest out-of-pocket. The network is still growing, so please check to make sure your providers accept the network.
Oscar Health has a network that is similar to Ambetter, but they differ in that their plans are EPOs. With an EPO there is no need for referrals and a primary care physician is not required.
Independence Blue Cross will remain as the area favorite for sure. It will remain price competitive, have the best network access, and the overall best value to consumers!
What about the rest of Pennsylvania? Capital Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UPMC have some really exciting new options and plans. Geisinger is also an option, although you will notice that Highmark has really stepped up their game in a big way. Check out Highmark’s options now! My team and I work with them all and we can help you find the right fit.
New Jersey consumers will still have a choice between Amerihealth, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Oscar (Select Counties) to chose from. New Jersey will continue to enforce the fine for not having health insurance on a state level. Short Term Medical plans and many other popular options are not allowed in NJ, the only alternative we can offer is our association health plan. E-mail us for a kit!
Ambetter, Oscar, Bright Health, Cigna, Anthem Blue, and Molina are continuing to expand nationwide and are offering very competitive options in existing and new markets. My team and I assist consumers in many different states, so feel free to reach out to us and shop all our offerings right on our website.
DoitForMeInsurance is powered by Quotit, the industry standard. Click here for the new e-store, to handle your Healthcare.gov 2019 enrollment Nationwide!
During this busy time of year Joe Covell and his partner Robyn Barto, Licensed Agent and Client Advocate will make every effort to return your call within 24 hours! Joe checks his e-mail around the clock, and you may get a quicker response if you email him at:
[email protected] or [email protected]
DoitForMeInsurance and Joe Covell also handles your Dental, Vision, Life, Home, Auto, Group Health, and Business Insurance Needs! Shop everything on the website!
Click Here for a FREE No-Obligation Home/Auto Quote!
Really busy and no time for phone conversations?
Our PRIVATE Exchange is Back:
You do not have to go to Healthcare.gov at all! Use Joe Covell’s “private exchange”, direct-enrollment pathway to sign up with Healthcare.gov in under 5 minutes! You will access full subsidy/tax credit determination and the pathway is 100% Healthcare.gov approved and licensed. Click Here To Browse and Enroll!
There are 45 days (beginning Nov 1) to find the best 2020 health insurance plan for you and your family! If you still need 2019 coverage you may be able to get it with a qualified life event. Short-term options are available and can begin as soon as tomorrow. Click Here for affordable short-term plans.
Contact Joe Covell today to explore all your insurance options, or to book your November phone appointment. Enrollments can be done over the phone, e-mail, or if you prefer to do it online and in your own time, click here! Office appointments are available upon request, but will be limited. Due to time restraints Joe can not make home appointments during open enrollment. Please email [email protected] or call/text 267-374-0975. If we don’t answer, please text or voice message your name and contact information. You are important to us.
Joe is sincerely grateful for your continued business.
Joseph L. Covell
PA, NJ, MD, VA, OH, TX, and most other states Licensed Health, Life, Disability, Property, and Casualty Insurance Broker
Custom Benefit Plans, Inc.
Source Insurance Group
www.doitformeinsurance.com (formerly www.myobamacarebroker.com / www.mytrumpcarebroker.com)
Cell: 267-374-0975
Fax: 215-830-0908
E-mail: [email protected]
Robyn Barto
Licensed Broker
www.doitformeinsurance.com
Cell: 610-757-7809
E-mail: [email protected]
