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Showing posts from September, 2020

WA State 2021 Health Insurance Rates and Smart Plan

  Open Enrollment Nov 1 - Dec 15 for Jan 1,2021 start! The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has approved the rates for 2021 on the Washington Healthplanfinder . This is the second year in a row that we have seen a significant decrease in rates. Thirteen health insurers have been approved to sell plans on the Washington Healthplanfinder and the average rate of decrease is 3.2%!  The two plans that are intending to sell plans off the exchange. Asuris Northwest Health , which we can assist you with as we are affiliated with. There is also Health Alliance Northwest Healthplan , who insures 7 people in Chelan, Douglas and Grant Counties. (If you want to see their plans then let us know when you are in our office and we can show you where to find them).  There are also two new companies on the Healthplanfinder for 2021. They are Community Health Network of Washington and UnitedHealthcare of Washington. If a company does not contract with a broker then it becomes a buyer beware if you

Healthplanfinder and Income update FEMA payment

Here we go with some COVID relief for the unemployed.  If you need a mask then stop in! Beginning September 21st, Employment Security will begin processing payments of an additional $300 per week to the state base weekly  unemployment benefit approved under the Lost Wages Assistance FEMA Payment.  There is only five weeks approved for weeks August 1st - Sept 5th.  The Lost Wages Assistance FEMA payments is not countable for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) eligibility but is countable for tax credit and cost-sharing reductions. We have been advised to not include the $300 Lost Wages Assistance FEMA payment in your weekly unemployment income amount reported to the Washington Healthplanfinder application.  You should choose to adjust their Qualified Health Plan tax credits by adjusting the amount of tax credits applied to their premium in Washington Healthplanfinder . If you under estimate your income and use more tax credits than you are qualified for then you must pay those back wh