Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Dental Insurance is available with Affordable Care Plans

In the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can get dental coverage 2 ways: 

1.  as part of a health plan, or 
2.  by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan

You can buy a dental plan through the Federal Marketplace
only when you enroll in a health plan.

As part of a Health Plan
In the Marketplace, dental coverage is included in some health plans. You can see which plans include dental coverage when you compare them. If a health plan includes dental coverage, you’ll pay one monthly premium for everything. The premium shown for the plan includes both health and dental coverage.

As a separate, stand-alone dental plan                                                                
In some cases separate, stand-alone plans are offered. You may want this if the health coverage you choose doesn’t include dental coverage, or if you want different dental coverage. If you choose a separate dental plan, you’ll pay a separate, additional premium.

For more information, go to www.mutskoinsurance.com and click on Get a Quote. I will get back to you with more information. 

The deadline to sign up for Affordable Care is February 15. Don't risk hefty fines for not having insurance. Contact me today.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Early retirees - Affordable Care is for you, too.

A major challenge for many early retirees used to be finding affordable health insurance to bridge the gap until they were age 65 and eligible for Medicare. 
In some cases, the retiring spouse could get coverage from their former employer but their spouse was not included. Others were denied coverage or charged higher premiums because of a preexisting condition.The Affordable Care Act changed all this. Insurance providers may no longer reject you or charge higher premium rates because of your health. 
If you are an early retiree and want more information on enrolling in a health insurance plan, give me a call today at 440-255-5700 or email me at lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Medical bills are the #1 cause of bankruptcy


Many American adults will struggle to pay medical bills this year. A sudden accident or frightening diagnosis can touch virtually anyone, unleashing mountains of bills. In fact, medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy.

For those with insurance, you can help keep your medical bills in line by taking the following steps:
  • Compare your Explanation of Benefits against your medical bill to check for mistakes.
  • Appeal any denied claims, 
  • Ask your hospital or other health care provider if any financial aid is available
If you don't have insurance, don't put off enrolling in a plan any longer. Don't put your financial security at risk. Call me today and I'll help you find a health insurance plan to fit your needs. 


Thursday, December 11, 2014

Steps to take now with your prescription drugs

The first seven to ten days of the new year are extremely busy for your local pharmacy. People have new insurance plans. Some have waited until the first of the year to get their prescription. And the pharmacy has to take extra time updating customers' information.

Don't get caught short.

Check now before the end of the year to make sure you have enough of your prescription drugs to last you through the first few days of the new year. 

Double check that your current pharmacy is still a part of your plan's preferred network. 

If you need to switch your prescriptions to a new pharmacy, talk to your pharmacist to find out what you can do right now to avoid any delays in getting your prescriptions filled during the first week of the new year.




Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Improve your health - Adopt a pet

    I LOVE my three dogs and cannot imagine life without them. They are my best buddies and never fail to amp up the happiness level in our home. If you feel lonely or need a daily infusion of joy, I encourage you to consider adopting a dog, cat, fish or bird.


    Bringing a new best friend into your home will help to alleviate loneliness and bring opportunities to meet new people and experience new things.Click on the links here to see who is waiting for you!

    Lake County Humane Society  http://www.lakehumane.org/
    Geauga Rescue Village  http://www.geaugahumane.org/

    If you need more reasons, consider these: 

    "According to The American Heart Association, owning a pet — particularly a dog — may help lower your risk of heart disease. There are two possible reasons for this. First, pets generally make people happy, providing the dog hasn’t recently ripped apart the couch cushions. Second, dog owners who walk their pets are more likely to get the level of daily physical activity needed for good health. There are other ways pet ownership may be beneficial to your health, such as:
    • Going for a walk in the neighborhood or park helps keeps you physically active. It may also be good for your overall well-being. Going out with your pet may lead to more socializing, too.
    • A furry friend provides emotional support, which may decrease stress and loneliness.*





    *Taken from 

    Pets and Good Health
    Posted by Medicare Made Clear

























    Wednesday, December 3, 2014

    Can my child get Marketplace Health Insurance if it's cheaper?

    I was recently asked this question . . . 

    If a child under age 26 is able to get coverage under a parent’s policy, can they get a lower cost plan with Marketplace insurance based on income if they apply themselves?

    Answer:  It depends on whether the child is a dependent in the parent’s tax household.

    If the under-26 child is claimed as a dependent in the parent’s tax household - and if they have access to a parent’s job-based coverage – they are not eligible for lower costs on a Marketplace plan. This is because they have access to job-based coverage.

    If the child files taxes themselves, they may be eligible for lower costs on a Marketplace plan based on their income. This is true even if they have access to a parent’s job-based coverage.

    But if the child is enrolled in a parent’s job-based coverage, they are not eligible for lower costs on a Marketplace plan.

    Tuesday, December 2, 2014

    My son is turning 26. What are his health insurance options?

    Coverage for adult children ends on a child’s 26th birthday when they are required to secure their own health insurance. 

    Regardless of whether their birthday occurs during Open Enrollment* or not, they will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows them to sign up for a health plan outside of the Open Enrollment.The Special Enrollment Period will end 60 days after their birthday.

    If they enroll before their 26th birthday, coverage can start as soon the first day of the month they lose coverage. If they enroll during the 60 days after their birthday, coverage will start the first day of the month after they pick a plan.

    If they don’t enroll in health coverage within 60 days of their birthday, they will not have to wait to get coverage until the next Open Enrollment period and may have to pay the fee for being uninsured. For 2015, the fee is 2% of your income or $325 per adult, and $162.50 per child, whichever is more.
     
    If they go without coverage for less than 3 months of the calendar year, they don’t have to pay the fee.


    * Open Enrollment is going on now through February 15, 2015