Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for individual health insurance is Nov 1st to Dec 15th for a Jan 1st start date. However you can enroll until Jan 15th for a Feb 1st start date. We are working 7 days a week until Dec 15th.
The good news for 2021 is that most plans are staying somewhat similar, yet there are new CascadeCare plans as well. If your plan worked well for you in 2020 we recommend to let it roll over to next year. However, if you are planning to have a baby, need more physical therapy, bloodwork labs or imaging on a regular basis there are some plans covering these much better than 2020 plans. Below is an overview of it all and please feel free to send this blog to other friends you know may be seeking help or coverage. Our commission is built into the price, so there is no additional cost to you for working with us.
Our main Achieve Alpha Insurance page here shows all of our Health Insurance related products (health, dental, vision, accident plans, travel insurance and more).
- Watch our 2021 Overview Video of plans here
- Schedule online an appointment here
- Check out our Blog on CascadeCare Plans here
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NEW CHANGES FOR 2021
The good news is that premiums are decreasing by about 5% and most plans are staying the same. For the most part, we recommend people to stay on the same plan. In addition, to the existing plans designed by the carriers, all insurance carriers are offering CascadeCare plans.
The CascadeCare plans are exactly same design for all carriers. There is one Gold, Silver and Bronze plan, which makes them easier to compare apples to apples with the carriers. The carriers network of doctors and hospitals are the same as their regular plans. However, the prescription drugs are covered differently. The premiums for these plans are about 5% more than the regular plans with the same carriers, yet have stronger benefits. If you chose one of these plans expect for the prices to go up by 10%+ for 2022 (mark my words).
Public Option plans are mainly in a few smaller counties. It is a slightly cheaper plan yet also a smaller network of doctors. These plans are called CascadeCare Select. The key word is SELECT in the wording. Since this is the first year of the plans and only slightly cheaper I would probably not recommend choosing a plan this first year. The doctor network will be smaller for not much of a cost savings.
INSURANCE CARRIER CHANGES:
Regence health insurance plans are back! It is exciting to have them back, yet not a true PPO. They have a wide network of independent doctors and core hospital networks are with UW, Evergreen, Overlake, Multicare and Providence (not Swedish, CHI Franciscan or Virginia Mason).
Premera has the largest network of hospitals and independent doctors. If you go to Virginia Mason or Polyclinic this is the only carrier you can choose. However, Premera it is not offered in Pierce or Snohomish counties. This plan covers mental health doctors the best. Not much change of plan designs.
LifeWise has a similar large network of doctors, yet mainly has Swedish, Providence and CHI Franciscan hospitals. Plan designs are about the same, yet do not cover brand name drugs well up-front before the deductible. This plan has a large network of mental health providers like Premera.
AM Better has a slightly improved network of doctors and hospitals covered are Swedish, Providence, Evergreen and CHI Franciscan. They have a moderate network of independent doctors. They allow in-network coverage in 20 states, so if you live in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, or Florida for much of the year they are a great choice! Have much better up front coverage for bloodwork laps before deductible.
Molina has a great network of hospitals with Swedish, Providence, UW, Valley Medical, CHI Franciscan, Multicare and the only carrier to cover Everett Clinic (doctors and hospitals) in Snohomish county. They have a somewhat smaller network of independent doctors, so generally recommend to stay with larger hospital systems. They have much more coverage for bloodwork laps and imaging coverage than prior years.
Kaiser Permanente is a true HMO and mainly covers their in-network hospital and doctors. They do provide coverage in-network in WA, OR, CA, CO, Maryland, and Hawaii. So if you travel to California often or along the west coast, this can be a great option.
If you have any questions give us a call or text 425-802-2783.
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Gary Franke, Tamara Chandler, & Julia Phipps
Independent Broker
Achieve Alpha Insurance LLC
12505 Bel-Red Rd, Ste 106
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 802-2783
health@achieve-alpha.com
www.achieve-alpha.com
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