ACA Deadlines—Still Spreading the Message
I received a phone call from a client referred to me just a few weeks ago who was asking to buy a health insurance policy. He had been in the process of moving in the fall of 2016, receiving important mail had been an issue, and he never realized his health plan that he’d enjoyed since 2009 had terminated at the end of the year. He thought his premiums had been paid this year, just like always, until he filled his first prescription, and was told his plan wasn’t active.
Had I received the call in 2013, this wouldn’t have been so complicated…
“Are you a tobacco or non-tobacco user?”
“Do you have any significant health diagnoses, medications, or concerns?”
“What is your age, height and weight?”
Write the policy, client receives coverage. Those days are long gone….
Instead I had to tell him that unfortunately, due to the laws of the Affordable Care Act imposing “open enrollment” deadlines, we couldn’t offer him coverage. In shock, he said to me, “You’re telling me that I can’t just give you money, and in return I get health insurance?”
As immersed in the health insurance arena as I am, I am baffled that the message still hasn’t made itself known to many Americans that they can’t simply purchase a qualified health insurance plan at any time of year (without a qualifying event). He needed coverage for crucial medications and routine doctor visits, not to mention protection from a catastrophic event—he was a business owner, and that could be devastating to his finances.
For this client, at IGO, we find solutions….while there isn’t a way to get him a qualified health plan until November (that meets the standards of the ACA) we do have options to protect his business and home from a catastrophic event—and they’re AFFORDABE! In fact, many Americans are opting for this kind of coverage in lieu of ACA coverage, to minimize their monthly premiums, and it looks to be the kind of solution that many will prefer in 2018 if we don’t see ACA premium relief.
It’s called “Short Term Health Insurance”, and next week in our blog we’ll highlight the basics of this coverage, or, call today to ask if Short Term plans might be a way to bridge the gap until Open Enrollment for your family!
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