As politicians continue to debate health care at the national level, the window for open enrollment into the healthcare marketplace is approaching for individuals and businesses.
The biggest change consumers will notice this year, Ed Gussio, Vice President and Partner of Crest Insurance Group, said, is a condensed enrollment period, which will only last from November 1 through December 15. The customer service call center will also not be open as frequently to call with questions.
Blue Cross Blue Shield remains the only carrier on the exchange for Coconino County, and plans on the exchange require referrals to see specialists, Gussio said. Plans have not changed substantially since last year.
Premiums are an average of 1 percent lower this year, Gussio said, though he said customers should not expect to see their rates decrease the same amount.
“That doesn’t mean people’s rates are going down because these are age-based and everyone is a year older,” Gussio said.
When renewing a policy on the healthcare exchange, Gussio said it is important to update expected income level each year. The exchange offers two types of subsidies based on income that can decrease a person’s premiums or lower copays and deductibles.
If a person qualified for those subsidies last year, but had a change of income this year and does not update income information, they could owe the money back later.
“If your income turned out to be higher than when you applied last year; then when you do your taxes, you could have to pay that money back to the government when you file,” Gussio said. “If your income has gone down, you could get some back when you file your taxes.”
In an executive order last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to loosen restrictions on short term plans, allow insurance sales across state lines and allow “association health plans” that can be sponsored by an employer or group/
Last week, Trump said he wanted to end the government’s payments to insurers for cost-sharing plans, the type of subsidy that offers people discounted deductibles and copayments. However, Tuesday a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate proposed extending the payments for two years.
So far, Gussio said, the changes in subsidies have not prompted Blue Cross Blue Shield to change any plans or pricing for the cost-sharing plans it offers.
Gussio said he recommends businesses shop around for different options through the marketplace, and said if a business does not offer insurance, this could be a good year to look at the options due to the cost and what is available this year.
For those who have questions about individual or business plans, Gussio said his office has seven licensed agents in northern Arizona who can answer questions about coverage.
“When people call into the marketplace, the representative don’t always provide the most accurate information,” Gussio said. “It’s a call center, and it has people trying their very best, but they might have less experience than a licensed agent, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for assistance.”
Date: Oct 18, 2017