It’s Open Enrollment Time!

There is a lot going on with health insurance right now.  Most importantly for individuals who can’t get insurance through work, it’s Open Enrollment time.  This period goes from July 1^st through August 15^th.   After the 15^th, and individual won’t be able to get insurance until July 1^st of 2013!  There are exceptions, i.e. if a person has lost their insurance within the last 63 days, and has a letter to prove it.  

A lot of people say to me, “But wait, I thought you had to have insurance, but now they are saying you can only get it once a year?”  I say, yes, that’s right, they are trying to encourage people to having insurance all the time, not just when they need it.  That is a loss for the insurers and the cost gets passed on to everyone else.  

So, you may not be able to get insurance, and then get fined for not having it in the form of a tax penalty, but to me, the bigger concern is the huge potential cost to the individual if a major medical incident happens, and they don’t have insurance.  It can destroy a family financially. 

I believe there are a lot of people out there who are still completely unaware of the new open enrollment periods started last year, and I think that they price they might pay for their lack of knowledge is too large, so I try to inform as many people as I can.

Are you reading this after August 15^th and still need insurance?  Call me anyway.  There may be a way to get you covered.

Chamber Group Rates? Well, no, but some discounts and benefits now available.

Years ago, small business owners, including many sole proprietors, used to join the Chamber to get association rates on health insurance.  Well, the state outlawed association rates many years ago, so now, unless a small business is in a grandfathered industry like banking or education, they can only get rates based on their own size, demographics, geography and type of business.  

The enormous cost has been a large burden to small businesses.  This burden has been a driving force in health care reform, leading to tax credits, and other forms of assistance, yet small businesses are still struggling with it.  Many local chambers are active in fighting on their behalf, including the ones I belong to, MetroWest and Corridor Nine.  After years of collaboration between the chambers, the Department of Insurance and the carriers, the Chamber Health Coop has been created with the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

It’s not large group rates for small businesses, but it’s a start.   Members of the Chambers of Commerce are finally capable of receiving some discount on health insurance premiums through the Chamber Health Cooperative. I’m a certified M.A.C.C.E. (Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives) broker and qualified to help Chamber members with the discounted plans through the Cooperative (as long as you’ve joined the M.A.C.C.E. Group Purchasing Cooperative).

Health insurance is not an easy task. It’s difficult for business to afford, especially small ones. Options are hard to sort through, and deciding what’s best for your employees can be daunting.

As the Principal of A.M. Health & Life, I can help you and your small business find the health plan that’s right for you, financially and practically. If the plans offered through the Coop still don’t suit to your needs, we can help tailor a plan to your needs with all of the plans available in Massachusetts. Included under this new program are MetroWest, Corridor Nine, and Worcester chambers, among others.  Contact your local chamber to see if you qualify.

Rates are now available. Just call us at 508-429-2270 or e-mail us at info@amhealthandlife.com