Compare all ACA Plans here:
Our Quote Engine is working fine....as usual.
But, the Govt Enrollment System is still malfunctioning...as usual.
As always, please wait until late-November or early December to enroll.
Open Enrollment for 2019 coverage ends at midnight on Dec 15th.
Many people can just accept their Passive Renewal for their current plan.
..."Do nothing" and your plan will automatically renew for 2019.
See more info about Passive Renewals below.
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Ruth's NPN (National Producer Number) for the govt:
1103110
You'll also see this number at the top of your Quotes Screens.
ACA:
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
On-Exchange:
Enrollments through the government system.
Our Quick Quote Engine (link above) is an On-Exchange Enrollment System.
If you can qualify for a Tax Credit, enroll On-Exchange.
If your income is too high to qualify for a Tax Credit, enroll Off-Exchange (to avoid government red tape).
Off-Exchange:
No tax credits are available from the govt.
This is usually because your income is too high.
Enrolling OFF-Exchange avoids lots of govt interaction & red tape.
See Off-Exchange Enrollment Links at the very bottom of this screen.
If your Estimated Household Income for 2019 is expected to be greater than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), you'll probably want to enroll OFF-Exchange.
Just run-a-quote at link above.
The Quick Quote Engine will ask you for an Estimated Household Income for 2019. Then, you'll automatically see your Estimated Tax Credit.
Tax Credits are paid to your chosen Insurance Company... each month....on your behalf....to lower your monthly premiums.
You'll reconcile the 2019 Tax Credits when you file your 2019 Federal Tax Return (in 2020).
- If they paid-in too much (each month), you'll owe them money back with your Federal Tax Return.
- If they didn't pay enough (each month), you'll get a refund with your Federal Tax Return.
Prices are the same whether you buy On-Exchange or Off-Exchange.
So, run-a-quote on our Quick Quote Engine (at link above) to see prices & compare plans for 2019.
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Passive Renewals:
Most ACA Plans will auto-renew on Jan 1, 2019.
No action is required on your part if you've had no major changes in income, family size, home zip code or tobacco use...
...and you want to keep your same plan for 2019.
Just run-a-quote (at link above) to see how your plan compares to others for 2019.
Exception!!!!!!
CHC (Community Health Choice) in Southeast Texas areas
To qualify for their 10% discount:
- You must RE-enroll for 2019
- Fill out their 10-minute Health Questionnaire
....It will be available to complete....inside your Online Account.....about 3 business days after enrollment.
This 10% discount does not show up in your quotes!
It's only available if you complete their Health Questionnaire.
If completed by Nov 25th, savings begin on Jan 1st (for 12 months).
If completed between Nov 26th & Dec 25th, savings begin Feb 1st (for 11 months of savings).
New members will also get the 10% discount offer from CHC.
So, their prices can be 10% lower than quoted.
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Best Networks
All 2019 plans will be HMOs or EPOs.
EPOs are hybrid HMOs.
There is no coverage for out-of-network treatment...
...except for serious life-threatening emergencies!
These networks are much smaller than the old PPO Plans (Grandfathered Plans) offer.
Largest to smallest networks:
1 - CHC (Community Health Choice) in SouthEast Texas areas
Most hospitals are in this network.
It's easy to find a good doctor in their network!
CHC will let you visit any doctor in their network at any time!
2 - Oscar Insurance Company in
Central Texas areas....including Austin & San Antonio
El Paso
DFW areas
Lots of good hospitals in the network!
Lots of good doctors, too!
No referral is required to see a specialist in their network.
3 - BCBS-Tx ... will offer coverage in All Texas Counties
Just be sure that you can live with their Dr & Hospital Network.
Note:
If your doctor says that they "accept" BlueCross coverage, this does not mean that they "accept" YOUR BC-Advantage HMO Network!!!!!!
There are direct links to the networks...for each plan quoted...in your quotes (at link above).
Just click on:
- Details ...for the plan(s) you like
- Provider List ...near the bottom of the Details Screen
Referrals are required to see a specialist!
With BCBS-Tx, your PCP (Primary Care Physician) must coordinate all of your care.
4 - Molina
A long-time Medicaid Insurer.
They have a decent hospital network.
But, most of their doctors are Medicaid-accepted doctors.
No referrals are required to see a specialist in their network.
5 - Ambetter
Another long-time Medicaid Insurer.
Decent hospital network.
But, their doctor selection can be limited in many areas.
No referrals are required to see a specialist in their network.
Ambetter will have the best prices/benefits for those with lower incomes in most areas of Texas.
They do have good doctors in their network.
But, if you have a favorite doctor, they may not be in the Ambetter network.
Ambetter has just added 2 large Hospital Groups to their network...in late Nov 2018:
- All Baylor Scott & White Hospitals in the DFW areas
- All Memorial Hermann Hospitals in the Houston area
They're in the process of adding associated doctors, too!
This will enlarge their networks tremendously in these areas.
Their prices seem to be very competitive in many areas.
All of their plans are ON-Exchange Plans...with govt interaction.
Lots of their plans offer nice Dr Visit CoPays (before meeting deductible).
Some of their plans offer extra Adult Vision benefits, too.
The price to add Adult Vision is minimal...with good benefits.
You'll see these Plan Names called:
"__Plan Name___+ Vision"
I should probably move them up to #3 above.....now, but will wait to see the additional doctors in network & decide later.
Ambetter has just added 2 large Hospital Groups to their network...in late Nov 2018:
- All Baylor Scott & White Hospitals in the DFW areas
- All Memorial Hermann Hospitals in the Houston area
They're in the process of adding associated doctors, too!
This will enlarge their networks tremendously in these areas.
Their prices seem to be very competitive in many areas.
All of their plans are ON-Exchange Plans...with govt interaction.
Lots of their plans offer nice Dr Visit CoPays (before meeting deductible).
Some of their plans offer extra Adult Vision benefits, too.
The price to add Adult Vision is minimal...with good benefits.
You'll see these Plan Names called:
"__Plan Name___+ Vision"
I should probably move them up to #3 above.....now, but will wait to see the additional doctors in network & decide later.
Carefully check the networks!
The Provider Network links...for each plan...are in your quotes:
- Details
- Provider List (near bottom of Details Screen)
The same network applies for On-Exchange and Off-Exchange Plans.
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Temporary ShortTerm Plans
None of them are worth buying for 2019 coverage.
They are all full of gaps & limits!!!
I'm still watching for new ones...that might work for those who have no pre-existing medical conditions.
Temp Plans do not cover:
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions
- Maternity/childbirth deliveries
- Most wellness check-ups
...They cover future things that might happen to you.
This year, there are awful limits with all of the plans offered.
....Like: Low (insufficient) dollar limits
There are also tons of exclusions on the policies.
....Many things just aren't covered.
Buy a limited-benefit Temp Plan here if you can't afford better:
Buy a limited-benefit Temp Plan here if you can't afford better:
But, carefully read the plan benefits, limits & exclusions
before buying.
You can use any doctor or hospital.
The insurance company is financially sound.
But, the benefits are limited!
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Small Business Association Plans
These plans have been approved by the Feds.
Most of them will cover a sole-proprietor (one person/family).
There's simply as Association to "join".
They'll be much cheaper than ACA Plans!!!
There are Association Fees to pay.
And, there can be requirements to join a local Chamber of Commerce & pay their Membership Fees.
There are no Tax Credits involved (like you can get with ACA plans).
There are Association Fees to pay.
And, there can be requirements to join a local Chamber of Commerce & pay their Membership Fees.
There are no Tax Credits involved (like you can get with ACA plans).
So, these plans might work for some....who get very-small Tax Credits (or no Tax Credit at all).
But, normally, they won't save any money for those who get Tax Credits to reduce the cost of their ACA plan.
But, normally, they won't save any money for those who get Tax Credits to reduce the cost of their ACA plan.
I'll be watching for Association Plans in Texas.
Will let you know if there's news (that you can use) in the future.
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Dental
Best Dental Plan available:
You can also buy Vision coverage at above link.
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Open Enrollment ends at midnight on Dec 15th
Plan to enroll in late-November or early December.
You'll have a much smoother enrollment after Nov 22nd.
Despite the fact that they've spent billions on the Govt Enrollment System, it's still plagued with problems...
...especially at the beginning of every Open Enrollment season.
The Insurance Companies have ACA Enrollment System problems, too. But, things are smoother after late-November.
After December 15th, you'll need a life-changing event to buy ACA coverage.
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Off-Exchange Enrollment Links:
Enroll directly with the Insurance Company of your choice...
...with no Tax Credits
...and no government red tape
Ambetter - All plans are ON-Exchange Plans.
So, use the Quick Quoting & Enrollment Engine
for the fastest & easiest enrollments...
BCBS-Tx - Try to enroll in one sitting.
If you go back later, the system can malfunction.
CHC - Community Health Choice
Current members can re-enroll inside your
New members - Enroll Here
Molina - All plans are ON-Exchange Plans.
So, use the Quick Quoting & Enrollment Engine
for the fastest & easiest enrollments...
Oscar Insurance Company - Enroll Here
