By now everyone has heard about the “Affordable Care Act” and how it is impacting the Individual Health Insurance market.
If you have ANY Questions about the WA Health Exchange at www.wahealthplanfinder.org, give me a call (425-802-2783). As an Independent Broker I have inside sources at the Olympia Exchange HQ to get issues fixed…There is no cost to work with an agent like myself (the commission is already built into the price), yet you get better customer service!
Whether you are Pro or Con, paying More or Less depends on several factors, but there is ONE thing that everyone needs to be aware of.
DEADLINE for Health Insurance is March 31st
The last week in March will be truly insane, so do NOT wait to sign up.
NOTE: The next start date for coverage is January 1st 2015.
1.0%Tax Penalty of your 2014 Income if you do NOT get Health Insurance!
There are some exceptions to get coverage once the Open Enrollment period is CLOSED.
Buying Health Insurance Outside Open Enrollment:
In order to buy a Marketplace health insurance plan outside the open enrollment period, you must have a qualifying life event. Qualifying life events that create a special enrollment period include:
- Getting married
- Having, adopting, or placement of a child
- Permanently moving to a new area that offers different health plan options
- Losing other health coverage (for example due to a job loss, divorce, loss of eligibility for Medicaid, expiration of COBRA)
- Voluntarily canceling health coverage or being terminated for not paying your premiums are not considered loss of coverage.
Special Enrollment Periods
If you have a qualifying life event, you get a special enrollment period. This means you can enroll for individual health insurance outside the open enrollment period. Most special enrollment periods last 60 days from the date of the qualifying life event.
The next Open Enrollment period is from November 15th, 2014 – January 15th, 2015.
If you know of anyone that has questions about Health Insurance in Washington State I would be glad to help. For me its quick and simple to help find the best plan for each person’s needs!
Gary Franke, MBA
Independent Broker
Achieve Alpha Insurance, LLC
12507 Bel-Red Rd, Ste 103
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 802-2783
gary@achieve-alpha.com
www.achieve-alpha.com