☰ ˟
Logo
We're Here to Help 361-570-3066
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
    • AutomobileImage of right arrow
      • Auto Insurance Quote
      • Auto GAP Insurance Quote
    • Bonds
    • Business & CommercialImage of right arrow
      • Commercial Auto Insurance Quote
      • General Liability Quote Form
      • Business Owners (BOP) Quote Form
      • Builders Risk
      • Liquor Liability Quote Form
      • Workers Compensation Quote
      • Group Medical Census Form
    • Earthquake
    • Farm
    • Flood
    • Group Health
    • HomeownersImage of right arrow
      • Homeowners Insurance Quote
      • Manufactured Home Quote
      • Homeowner Flood Quote Form
    • LifeImage of right arrow
      • Life Insurance Quote
      • Term Life Insurance Quote
    • Limousine
    • Medigap Insurance
    • Motorcycle
    • Other
    • Recreational Vehicle
    • Renters
    • Trucking
    • Watercraft & Boat
    • Windstorm
  • Customer Service
    • AutomobileImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Auto Policy
      • Add Vehicle to Existing Auto Policy
      • Remove Vehicle from Existing Auto Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Auto Policy
      • Remove Driver from Existing Auto Policy
    • Business & CommercialImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Commercial Auto Policy
      • Add Vehicle to Existing Commercial Auto Policy
      • Remove Vehicle from Existing Commercial Auto Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Commercial Auto Policy
      • Remove Driver from Existing Commercial Auto Policy
      • Request General Liability Certificate of Insurance
    • Homeowners
    • MotorcycleImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Motorcycle Policy
      • Add Motorcycle to Existing Policy
      • Remove Motorcycle from Existing Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Motorcycle Policy
      • Remove Driver from Existing Motorcycle Policy
    • Other
    • Recreational VehicleImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Recreational Vehicle Policy
      • Add Recreational Vehicle to Existing Policy
      • Remove Recreational Vehicle from Existing Policy
      • Add Driver to Existing Recreational Vehicle Policy
      • Remove Driver from Existing Recreational Vehicle Policy
    • Watercraft & BoatImage of right arrow
      • Request ID Card for Watercraft Policy
      • Add Watercraft to Existing Policy
      • Remove Watercraft from Existing Policy
      • Change Primary Operator on Existing Watercraft Policy
  • Resources
    • Secure File Area
    • Refer a Friend
    • Insurance Glossary
  • About Us
    • About Keith Williams Insurance Associates
    • Location Map
    • Employee Directory
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
Home > Healthreform > Health Reform

Health Reform Changes

With the many changes taking place because of the Affordable Care Act, we wanted to give you the latest updates.

2012

As of August 2012, most new and existing, non-grandfathered health plans will have to cover contraception with no out of pocket cost for women. Along with this change, women will also have access to HIV screenings and counseling, screenings for gestational diabetes, counseling for STDs and annual wellness exams, among other things- all at no cost to the insured. 

Insurance companies have recently started issuing rebates to their current and former customers. If you had an insurance policy in 2011 and the insurance company spent more than the allotted percentage on paying themselves and less on paying your claims, you will see a rebate of that money. Each insurance company will handle these rebates differently and will send you a letter notifying you of it, if they haven't already. 

As of September 2012, insurance companies will have to offer clearer descriptions for their offered plans in order to allow more effective comparisons between plans. These descriptions must also be easy for anyone to understand- no more complicated language. 

2013

While most individuals are already benefiting from the new free preventive care this year, starting in January of 2012, the federal government will offer more funding to state Medicaid programs that offer preventive care at little to no cost to its members.

With the expansion of Medicaid in 2014, the Act requires that the states pay primary care physicians seeing Medicaid patients 100% of the current Medicare payment rates for 2013 and 2014. This increase in pay to physicians will be funded by the federal government. 

The final change that will be coming in January 2013 is the responsibility for providers/facilities to bundle payments for Medicare patients. If you have surgery, you will no longer receive multiple bills, one for each physician/facility/procedure. Instead they will be required to send one "bundled" bill to you that will be divided among those involved in the surgery after they receive your payment.

2014

The Marketplace officially opens January 1, 2014 and many people who were unable to purchase insurance due to a pre-existing medical condition previously are now able to enroll in coverage. The first Open Enrollment period began on October 1, 2013 and will close April 15, 2014. If you have not purchased a plan by April 15, 2014 you will have to meet a Qualifying Event to be able to enroll in health coverage. The next Open Enrollment Period will begin November 15, 2014 and will close February 15, 2015. The period between November 15 and December 15, 2014 will be the time to apply (either for new coverage or a change in your current coverage) to get an effective date of January 1, 2015. Any applications after December 15, 2014 will have an effective date based on the day of submission. 

The penalty for not having a Qualified Health Plan applies this year. If you are not enrolled by May 1, 2014, or have a gap in coverage during the year longer than 3 months, you will be responsible for paying the larger of $95 per uncovered adult in your household ($47.50 per child) or 1% of your annual household income. This penalty will be assessed when you file your 2014 income tax in 2015. 

2015

You will have until the end of the day on February 15, 2015 to apply for new coverage or make changes to your current coverage. After February 15, 2015 you will only be able to apply for a change or new coverage if you meet a Qualifying Event. Those events include, but are not limited to, gaining a dependent due to marriage, gaining a depended due to birth or adoption, losing your coverage due to meeting the maximum age (26) to be a dependent under your parents' policy, or losing your employer sponsored coverage due to a change in employment or a change in the amount of hours you are working. 

The penalty for not being enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan in 2015 is the larger of $325 per uncovered adult in your household ($162.50 per child) or 2% of your annual household income.   
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
logo
3804 John Stockbauer Dr.
Suite F
Victoria, TX 77904

PH: 361-570-3066
E: info@kdwilliams.com
Social Social Social Social
Home Page| Our Team| Join Our Mailing List| Refer A Friend| Insurance Glossary| FAQs| Latest Industry News| Search Our Site
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Powered by Insurance Website Builder