Washington State Healthcare Solutions

The information for Native American Services is spread pretty out. (The ACA is probably one of the worst marketed programs ever). Here are the basics for individuals that have their tribal affiliation. 1. At 300% or less of poverty level (400% in Alaska) you get the no cost sharing (the zero co-pays). This year that is $35,640 per year with a modified adjusted gross income. Which is fancy talk for you can write off some income and qualify for better rates. 2. You can enroll throughout the year. 3. You can apply for an exception for the tax penalty. 4. Improvements to existing Indian Health Services. I always recommend using a no-cost broker. (Ask up front if they charge because some are needing to charge). We don't charge fees, are licensed by the state, trained how plans work, and can help with situations like this. If you have any questions then let me know I am always glad to help out. Websites for more information: https://www.ihs.gov/aca/thingstoknow/ http://www.hh...

Suzie has been working hard. THese last couple of months adding new policies for Medicare Advantage plans all over the state. I made her sit down and do a county by county search to see if we could offer more plans as we are getting questions from all over. When you can cover under 65 with Healthcare and Prescription Plans (Part D) for the entire state then we knew that we could do more. For us it has always been about families helping families and this year we are prepared to help even more. Check out the coverage area for 2017.

Starting January 15, 2016, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) will be mailing Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients a new tax form named the 1095-B. The 1095-B form provides of each month the client had minimum essential health coverage in 2015 through Washington Apple Health. The Health Care Authority transmits this information electronically to the IRS. Apple Health clients should keep the form for their records, since it contains important information they will need to complete their 2015 tax return. In some cases, people may get more than one tax form – such as 1095-A, 1095-, or 1095-C – depending on their employer and the kind of health coverage they had during 2015: · The 1095-A is furnished by the state’s Health Insurance Marketplace (Health Benefit Exchange) · The 1095-B can also be furnished by other government-sponsored programs, employer-sponsored group health plans, and more. · State employees and retirees enrolled in the Un...

‘My job offered me a plan for $60 a month but it has a huge deductible, do I have to take it? Last year it was $400 when I visited my doctor.’ We get these questions on a regular basis. I don't expect people to spend money on things that don't work or pay a penality when they don't have to . The employer offers a health plan that covers the employer for the Affordable Health Care Penalty but does very little to help the employee or their family. In Washington State, we have our own state exchange with a lot of plans. So many plans that brokers spend months learning plans so that we can help our clients get the most out of their money. There are Health Insurance companies that will only offer their plans using the state exchange. There are also some that are priced down to the point where a 28 year old was able to get health insurance for $209 a month with a $20 co pay to see his doctor without tax credits! There are times when it is best if a job does not offer health i...

1. Well, I found a first trap because of excessive exchange funding. This effects all clients that have had apple health. Clients are now able to get extensions automatically on their apple health up to a year at a time. I have a family that is now at 200%+ of the poverty level that was granted this extension. Their healthcare is paid by tax dollars and as their broker I receive zero commission. Would you like to make $60,000+ a year and have medicaid for the entire family? Previous to the ACA brokers were paid $100 per enrollment with an average of 10% of people a year coming off medicaid during any given year. 2. If you have been following this was an excerpt from a Health Care Authority recent audit sent Oct 23rd. HCA regularly conducts audits of Washington Apple Health eligibility. Recent audits by HCA found numerous cases of inaccurate income reported on Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) applications in Healthplanfinder. Clients found to have discrepancies in their reporte...

The Director for the Wenatchee Senior Center dopped in and gave Suzie McColm her plaque. It was the first one that she achieved. She has been helping for years people fill their prescriptions at the local pharmacies struggle. The struggle could have been from not having insurance to having a bad plan. When she had enough, she rolled up her sleeves, got her insurance license and started helping with the affordable care act. After her first year helping, she wanted to help more with Seniors so Medicare was a natural for her. She still helps as a pharmacy tech these days but her passion is helping people on the front in with insurance. Stop in and say hi to a proud member of our team .

The first week of open enrollment has been exciting. We have had some new customers and some old. When we first started and I looked at the system, I let everyone know; the first rule is always use a broker. This year is truer than ever before. Here are the challenges: 1. There are 143 plans for individuals. 30 plans for Small business and 8 dental for kid s. These are plans that myself and many brokers have been training for months. This is a monstrous variety to choose from. 2. There are some plans that are only available on the exchange that are great even if you don’t have subsidy. The first year, we only had one company and now we have three that are going this route. 3. There are still some errors with the system. I was able to catch one early that no tax subsidy was being applied. It was $30 a month that the gentleman could use for other expenses. 4. I am still seeing businesses offering group plans that are either unaffordable or more expensive than some of the plans on ...