Our team is here to assist you. Schedule a phone consultation through our Calendly link, where you can select a convenient time to discuss your Health Insurance choices for 2024.

In recent years, key legislations has passed which has directly impacted enrollment and eligaiblity in the various insurance marketplaces. At the moment these provisions are still in place, although their future is still in question. Some key legislation includes:

• The Affordable Care Act’s “Family Glitch” was addressed in a White House Press Release from October 11, 2022. Click here to read! 
• The Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on Affordable Care Act-compliant Individual and Family Plans, along with Medicare Plan Options. White House Press Release.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents are now in the 4th Open Enrollment season with state-based health insurance marketplaces, Pennie and GetCoveredNJ. Renewal info has been updated and is accessible for most accounts, with a few exceptions. Our team provides comprehensive assistance, guiding you through changes and exploring alternatives. Our services are free, and we accommodate your preferences. Let us support you hands-on (with permission) or offer valuable direction and advice.

Pennsylvania, particularly the five counties of Philadelphia (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia), is undergoing significant carrier additions for 2024. Highmark Blue Shield has decided to complete its service area in Pennsylvania by including the five counties of Philadelphia, the only counties they were missing. Some years ago, Jefferson Health acquired the Einstein Health System, which brought along the insurance carrier Health Partners. Jefferson has chosen to rebrand Health Partners as Jefferson Health Plans, expanding its reach into the under 65 market alongside existing Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP plans. Ambetter has also introduced new plans in an effort to gain membership in the Pennsylvania market where they have struggled. Both Jefferson Health and Ambetter have undercut Independence Blue Cross in their price filings, but it’s important to note that IBX’s network and overall value cannot be matched. Highmark offers attractive plan options, especially in the Gold category, for those seeking PPO options.

Pennie Open Enrollment is November 1st to January 15th!

New Jersey is thrilled to announce the return of United Healthcare Insurance Marketplace Plan offerings, now available through GetCoveredNJ! The renowned Oxford brand of United Healthcare has expanded its reach statewide, bringing comprehensive plans to NJ residents. While UHC has offered select off-exchange options in recent years, they were challenging to obtain and lacked competitiveness. Now, we’re excited to have this national brand back in full force in NJ for 2024!

GetCoveredNJ’s Open Enrollment is November 1st to January 31st

Ambetter has expanded to include Delaware in 2024, making it the only national brand to cover all three states in the Tristate region. While Ambetter is not yet statewide in PA and NJ, it will now be available in all three counties of Delaware.

Delaware uses the Health Insurance Marketplace, i.e., Healthcare.gov, with Open Enrollment from November 1st to January 15th.

Starting in 2024, Maryland residents will have the opportunity to choose from a new carrier. Aetna, a renowned national brand, has now extended its service area to Maryland, providing plans on and off the Maryland Health Connection state-based insurance marketplace/exchange. This expansion brings more options and accessibility for individuals seeking health insurance coverage in the state.

Maryland Health Connection’s Open Enrollment is November 1st to January 15th!

Virginia has made the decision to separate itself from the federally facilitated marketplace, Healthcare.gov. Instead, they have established their own state-based marketplace known as Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Like Pennie, GetcoveredNJ, and a few other states, Virginia has partnered with GetInsured’s platform, resulting in a near-identical appearance and functionality.

Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace’s Open Enrollment is November 1st to January 15th!

Georgia also planning to separate from Healthcare.gov, although their rollout has been a bit confusing. According to the official website, Georgia will function as a State-based Exchange on the Federal Platform (SBE-FP) for Open Enrollment (OE) 2024. The exchange will be known as Georgia Access and is expected to be fully operational by 2025. For more information click here

In 2024, HealthSherpa remains dedicated to providing a seamless quoting and enrollment experience for consumers on our platform. As a longstanding partner, we are proud to continue our services to Georgia residents, as well as the various Healthcare.gov states where we offer plans for shopping, enrollment, and renewal. While some carriers are expanding their nationwide coverage, others are scaling back or exiting certain markets. Rest assured, our link will always provide up-to-date options for 2024. Experience the convenience and peace of mind with our HealthSherpa site!

Georgia and Healthcare.gov’s Open Enrollment is November 1st to January 15th. 

If you are not one of our clients already, here is a video explaining how you can work with us!

Do It For Me Insurance offers Life Insurance options from multiple companies, including Ethos. Ethos is a game changer, providing a fast quoting and application process without nurse visits. As you complete the application, Ethos determines the right life products for you. Ethos offers exclusive products with top-rated companies like Banner Life and Ameritas. Almost anyone can qualify for Ethos’ products. While Ethos may not be the least expensive option, we always work with top Life Insurance Companies Nationwide and highly recommend the traditional process. However, if you want a fast and easy process without a medical examination, Ethos may be a perfect fit, providing options and approximate prices.

If you’re in good health and prefer to avoid paying for ACA-mandated benefits that may not be relevant to you, there are alternative options to explore. In our view, Short Term Medical Plans have proven to be the most viable alternative to the ACA. It’s important to note that, currently, the maximum duration for a Short Term Medical Plan in PA is approximately 12 months (360 Days). There has been ongoing discussion in 2023 regarding a potential executive order that could impose limitations on short term medical and indemnity plans, such as Aflac. We will ensure that you’re kept informed as further developments arise.  Click here to quote and enroll!

Short Term Medical Plans require individuals to truthfully answer medical questions. Failure to do so can result in claim denials when an incident is tied to a pre-existing condition. While this system is not perfect, it can provide protection for income and assets against catastrophic medical bills. It offers high lifetime maximum coverage (not ACA compliant) of $1 and $2 Million Dollars. It is important to note that Short Term Medical Plans do not provide the same level of iron-clad stop-loss protection as ACA compliant plans, but they do offer a level of coverage that is better than going uninsured.

For further protection it can be paired with UHC’s Health Protector Guard for a more comprehensive package! Quote UHC Options Now (I recommend a higher deductible Short Term with a Health Protector Guard option that fits your budget).

There is nothing better than the security of an Affordable Care Act Compliant Plan, in spite of limited networks at the lower price points and benefits that vary from area to area. ACA-compliant plans are required to have yearly out of pocket maxes and cover pre-existing conditions for stated benefits.

If you have not in the past qualified for financial assistance through the Federal Subsidy/APTC program (due to having a high modified adjusted gross income), you might want to take another look, as subsidies will remain higher than usual for 2024 and the perceivable future — for example, we have assisted many clients in their 60’s with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding $200,000, and found them eligible for hundreds of dollars per month in federal subsidy dollars/ applied tax credit (APTC).

Please be careful of the junk “health plans” being sold by mass-telemarketers, completely disguised as health insurance. Read the fine print. “Health Plans” are not, by definition health insurance and will not catch you if you fall.  You best protect your income and assets with health insurance that includes a federally-mandated STOP LOSS.  Be cautious of organizations out there that use terms like Private Insurance and Private Exchanges – you see and hear from them on social media applications, online community groups, community events, and all those calls and e-mails from forms you may have filled out online.

Aside from the alternatives above, we still have health insurance available through a few local and national associations, so for those not eligible for the subsidy and in good health may have more un-traditional options!

In most states it is STILL very hard to compete with the overall value and network access of the local Blue Cross Blue Shield, and in most states we have access to the local Blue!

Ambetter, Oscar, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue, United Healthcare and Molina are continuing to expand nationwide and are offering competitive options in existing and new markets. Do it For Me Insurance assists consumers in many states, so feel free to shop all offerings right on our website.