California Health & Medicare

The 2019 California Obamacare Open Enrollment Period has begun.  Open Enrollment will run from October 15th through January 15th.   Enrollments for January 1 effective dates must be completed by December 15th.  Enrollments from December 16th through January 15th will receive a February 1st effective date. We have live quoting available now for private market and Covered CA health plans. Free Instant Quotes Shop or call us for a quote at 408-847-6139. Dave www.davefluker.com

California Obamacare early renewals begin today.  You can renew your current health plan for 2019 starting today.     California Open Enrollment Period begins October 15th and ends January 15th.  You can purchase a health plan or change you insurance company and plan during the open enrollment period.   If you need help, call your agent or call us at 408-847-6139 if you don't have an agent.   Dave www.davefluker.com

Effective September 1, 2018, the only remaining short-term health insurance plan in California has been pulled from the market. IHC removed their offering in late August.  This is most likely in response to the imminent signing of CA SB 910 into law this month.  SB 910 would make the sale or renewal of any short-term limited duration (STLD) health insurance illegal in California.   As of this writing, IHC will continue to offer a Fixed Benefit Health Plan  in California. The fixed benefit plan is available year-round and can start as soon as the day after application submission.  Unlike the short-term plan, the fixed benefit plan is not limited in duration. For more information on Fixed Benefit Health Insurance, click here Dave www.davefluker.com

Changes being made by the Trump Administration with regard to the ACA (ObamaCare) are not going over well in California.   To date, the administration has extended short-term health insurance to 12 months, eliminated the tax penalty for not having compliant health insurance, allowed for the creation of AHPs (Association Health Plans) and floated the idea of decreasing the MLR (Medical Loss Ratio) from 80%. California is insistent that the ACA and Covered CA will be the marketplace. There are currently several bills on the Governor's desk awaiting signature to thwart the changes made by the Trump Administration. Senate Bill 910 :  Would prohibit insurers from selling, renewing or offering short-term health plans in California. Senate Bill 1108 :  Would allow California to seek waivers from the federal government to increase enrollment in Medi-Cal, the low-income health care program. It would also ban the state from requiring anyone on Medi-Cal to work in order to recei

Blue Shield of California has announced the launch of their Innovative F Medicare Supplement called 'F Extra'.   F Extra will be available for enrollment beginning October 1, 2018.  Like Anthem's Innovative F, F Extra will not be available for Birthday Rule transfers and will be subject to medical underwriting. F Extra will offer the following additional benefits over traditional Plan F... 1.  Hearing benefits 2.  Vision benefits 3.  Silver Sneakers  4.  Life Station Life Alert benefits The $25 per month first year New to Medicare discount will be available for those enrolling in F Extra. As more specific information and pricing become available, see my site for details . Dave www.davefluker.com

California SB 910 is again up for third read in the Assembly.  It is item #151 on the 8/16 docket.  As this thing moves around one wonders if it will ever come up for a vote? SB 910 consists of 13 sections that deal with different and specific health insurance issues in California.  Here is a (very) brief summary: 1.   Mental Health Benefit ID card requirements 2.   Mental Health Benefit website requirements 3.   Health Insurance rate change notification and approval requirements 4.    Short-Term Health Insurance outlawed in California beginning 1/1/19  5.   Orthodic & Prosthetic devices & requirements 6.   Mammography and related services 7.   Maternity coverage for individual & family plans 8.   Maternity coverage for group health plans 9.   Mental Health Benefit ID cards (seems to duplicate #1) 10. Mental Health Benefit website requirements (seems to duplicate #2) 11. Referral requirements on health plans regarding reproductive/sexual health 12. Renewabi