Shop the coverage and rates that are right for you
Get Insurance Anywhere Logo
Get Insurance Anywhere Header
Request An Affordable Care Act Quote!
Call today for quotes
on health insurance
for Medicare beneficiaries
or any other type of
health or life insurance!
Medicare Beneficiaries:
877-734-3884 (TTY: 711)
All Other:
786-970-0740 (CELL)
Request An Affordable Care Act Quote!
Call today for quotes on health insurance for
Medicare-eligibles
or any other type of health or life insurance!

Medicare-Eligibles:
877-734-3884 (TTY: 711)

All Other:
786-970-0740 (CELL)

Newsletter

ACA January 2024

IN THIS ISSUE...

  • ACA MARKETPLACE SNAPSHOT AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2023


  • SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS STILL AVAILABLE


  • NO OPEN ENROLLMENT RESTRICTIONS ON DENTAL, VISION, OR HEARING PLANS


Visit our website
Latest News and Updates

The first article reproduces a press release issued on December 20 that contains figures on enrollments that occurred on healthcare.gov through December 15. Once again, there was record enrollment on the federal and state enrollment platforms for Affordable Care Act plans in the period November 1 through December 15. Open enrollment is still available on HealthCare.gov through January 16, 2024.


We had expected regulations limiting the availability and duration of short-term health insurance plans to be issued during the fourth quarter of 2023, but as of this writing no regulations have been promulgated. Short-term insurers have lowered the cost of what are called fixed premium plans that are available for up to three years, and since final regulations have not been issued, these types of plans can be attractive financial alternatives for healthy individuals without concerns about pre-existing conditions and who are not eligible for premium tax credits (or very low subsidies) under the Affordable Care Act.


If you need dental, vision, and/or hearing coverage and don’t have a plan or want a more comprehensive plan than you currently have, please contact us at 561-734-3884 or 786-970-0740. Both insured and discount dental, vision, and hearing plans are available on a year-round basis and are not subject to the requirement of having a qualifying life event.



ACA MARKETPLACE SNAPSHOT AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2023

The Biden-Harris Administration issued the following press release on December 20:


The Biden-Harris Administration encourages everyone who needs affordable, quality health insurance to visit HealthCare.gov and sign up for coverage by the January 16 final deadline.


The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace enrollment continues at a record-breaking pace. As of December 15, 2023, for HealthCare.gov states and December 9, 2023, for State-based Marketplaces, preliminary data projects that over 19 million consumers will enroll in 2024 coverage through the ACA Marketplaces — over 7 million more than when President Biden took office. This includes 15.3 million individuals who have selected a health plan using the HealthCare.gov platform. On December 15 alone, the deadline for coverage starting January 1, 2024, more than 745,000 people selected a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov — the largest single day in history.


“Millions of Americans signing up for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act is good news. It means more Americans have the peace of mind of knowing that going to the doctor won't empty their bank account,” said Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration will continue working to expand health care coverage and lower prescription drug costs, so taking care of your health is not a luxury.” 


"More than 15.3 million people have signed up for Health Insurance Marketplace plans in states that use HealthCare.gov, an impressive 33% increase compared to this time last year,” Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said. “The Marketplace clearly meets an important need in Americans’ lives, making access to health care possible for adults and their children. The Affordable Care Act connects more people to preventive and life-saving care, helping more people and their families live the American dream. We look forward to continuing to get people enrolled ahead of the January 16 deadline.”


With an unwavering commitment to expanding access to health insurance and reducing health care costs for American families, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to make increasing coverage a top priority. The Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan continue to keep Marketplace coverage affordable, underscoring the administration’s dedication to making health care accessible to everyone. 


The Biden-Harris Administration encourages all families to visit HealthCare.gov and check out the health care coverage options and savings available to them. Because of continuing provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, CMS expects nine out of 10 customers to be eligible for savings. 


People with current coverage through HealthCare.gov are encouraged to return and shop to see if another plan better meets their needs at a lower cost.


Many people are eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). However, those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP should visit HealthCare.gov to see if they are eligible to enroll in a low-cost, quality health plan today. 


Individuals will also benefit from a highly competitive Marketplace. More than 90% of HealthCare.gov enrollees will be able to choose among three or more plans. The Biden-Harris Administration has also made it easier for consumers to compare and select plans by creating standardized plans that offer many of the same benefits at the same cost sharing amounts so consumers can focus on other plan features that are important to them, like premiums and provider networks.


The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov generally runs from November 1 to January 15. In 2024, January 15 is a federal holiday; accordingly, consumers will have until midnight Tuesday, January 16 (5 a.m. EST on January 17) to enroll in coverage. Consumers who enroll before the January 16 deadline will have coverage that starts February 1, 2024.


As enrollment grows, ACA Marketplace coverage continues to evolve. In addition to important changes for 2024 coverage—including more choices, improved shopping tools, more providers, and improved health equity—CMS recently shared proposed measures to further expand access to more robust, affordable health coverage options for 2025 coverage. For example, if finalized, these measures would, among other things, allow states to add routine adult dental services as an essential health benefit (EHB) by updating their EHB benchmark plans. Comments on the proposed policies are due on January 8, 2024.


The next snapshot of nationwide plan selections, including state-specific plan selection information, will be released January 10, 2024.

SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS STILL AVAILABLE

We had expected the proposed restrictions on the availability of short-term health insurance plans to be finalized during the fourth quarter of 2023, but as of this writing final regulations have not been issued. Under the proposed regulations, any changes to the rules would not have been implemented until 75 days after the issuance of final regulations.

 

Affordable Care Act plans will be the plan of choice for those who are eligible for significant tax subsidies, because net premiums for people with large tax subsidies will be lower than any other alternatives.


However, about 10% of all potential enrollees are not eligible for tax subsidies, and healthy individuals who are not eligible for tax subsidies may want to consider other alternatives. The two primary alternatives are available on a year-round basis and are not subject to the requirement of having a qualifying life event if application is made outside of the open enrollment period (which will end January 16 instead of January 15. 2024 because January 15 is a federal holiday).


A considerable number of high-paid individuals in Florida who are not eligible for tax subsidies (or very low tax subsidies) are considering three-year fixed premium short- term health plans. These plans are still available as the amended draft regulations on short-term policies have not yet been promulgated. The advantage of buying one of these policies is that premiums are fixed for three years while eligibility for coverage is based only on answers to health questions applying to the first year of the policy.


Medical cost sharing plans are another option for those looking for lower cost alternatives to Affordable Care Act plans. These are not insurance plans, but, instead, are programs where individuals share medical expenses. Monthly share contributions for these types of plans are lower than premiums for non-subsidized ACA plans.


Both options should only be considered by those without pre-existing conditions, as these plans place restrictions on pre-existing conditions (i.e., they either don’t cover such conditions at all, or they have limitations which are liberalized after the first year of the policy but are still more restrictive than the limitations on non-pre-existing conditions).

 

Please contact us at 561-734-3884 or 561-734-3884 if you’d like to determine if either of these alternatives would make sense for you.

NO OPEN ENROLLMENT RESTRICTIONS ON DENTAL, VISION, OR HEARING PLANS

Certain dental and vision plans can be purchased when one enrolls for health insurance on HealthCare.gov, but the types of plans offered on HealthCare.gov have low annual maximums, e.g., $1,000 or $1,500. Individuals looking for more comprehensive coverage are eligible to enroll any time during the year and very few available plans have age limitations which restrict eligible individuals from applying for such plans.


If you don’t have coverage or are looking possibly looking for a more comprehensive plan than you now have, please contact us at 561-734-3884 or 786-970-0740.


About Paul Cholak


Paul has over forty years of benefits experience and has been Director of Employee Benefits for large companies, as well as a benefits consultant with major consulting firms. He understands the health and life insurance needs of individuals and families of all ages. He also has considerable experience in selling health and life insurance to employer groups.


He guides you through the steps of getting health and/or life insurance and is available to help you both BEFORE and AFTER you've made your purchase decision.

Learn About The Services We Offer
Contact Us
Local: 561-734-3884
Toll-free: 877-734-3884
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  Linkedin  
Schedule For 2024
Affordable Care Act Enrollment

Affordable Care Act open enrollment for 2024 plans began November 1, 2023 and ended January 16, 2024 on the Federal Facilitated Marketplace (https://www.healthcare.gov).

You’re eligible to enroll ONLY if you have a Qualifying Life Event.
There are no pre-existing condition limitations.

Call Us At 786-970-0740 (Cell)
to determine what kind of plan you may be eligible for.


2024 Annual Enrollment Period For Medicare Eligibles

The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare-eligibles that ran from October 15 through December 7, 2023 for a January 1, 2024 effective date has ended.

You’re eligible to enroll now ONLY if you’re first becoming eligible for Medicare or are eligible for another type of enrollment period. Enrollment rules differ between Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, and separate Medicare drug coverage (Part D).

Call us at 877-734-3884 (TTY: 711) for details.

family consulting

We offer a comprehensive set of Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) plans

to individuals and families qualified to buy health (tax- and non-tax subsidized) insurance and dental/vision and/or hearing plans through the Federal marketplace (this is called buying “on-exchange” or “on-marketplace”) or directly from insurance carriers (this is referred to as buying “off-exchange or -marketplace”). Our Affordable Care Act policies comply with the Affordable Care Act and contain all of the “essential health benefits” required by that law.

The dental/vision and/or hearing insurance

products are available both on an insured or discount basis

We offer short-term health insurance policies

for those who are looking for more inexpensive coverage and shorter term alternatives.

We offer Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D Drug plans

to Medicare-eligibles. Our site is compliant with federal, state, and carrier guidelines in selling these policies. See the Medicare-eligibles section of this site for details.

We represent many carriers that offer supplemental benefits

to both individuals and families and Medicare beneficiaries, and the site contains information about hospital indemnity, cancer, critical illness, gap, accident, and international medical insurance offered by many different carriers. This section of the site also contains valuable information and tools about lowering the cost of prescription medications. Call us if you want more information about or would like to enroll in one of these products.

We also offer Short- and Long-Term Disability products

and can also help you meet the costs of long-term care, nursing home, or short-term (recovery) care needs.

Finally, we have a complete array of Life, Final Expense, and Annuity products

and offer pre-need services in Florida, as we have both life insurance and pre-need licenses in that state.

You pay nothing for our services:

we’re paid directly from the carriers we represent, Premiums are NEVER EVER marked up to include paying us for our services: you pay the same whether you order directly from the carrier or the marketplace on your own or directly through us or from our site.

We ONLY offer alternatives that are suitable for you and for which we feel meet YOUR needs.
When or if we feel a product or service is not appropriate for you from either a cost or benefit point of view we will tell you so.

We’re fully compliant with privacy and security guidelines, have signed all required privacy and security agreements, have developed a privacy and security policy, and take extraordinary steps to safeguard your protected health and personal information.
In short, we’re experts in all aspects of health and life insurance and also have relationships with professionals who can help you with very specialized situations.

More choices
Lower rates!
Calculate your health Insurance cost!
Get Rates & Plans
Or call today!
877-734-3884 (TTY 711)