{"id":348,"date":"2014-01-17T14:50:16","date_gmt":"2014-01-17T14:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/?p=348"},"modified":"2014-06-17T14:52:13","modified_gmt":"2014-06-17T14:52:13","slug":"2014-a-new-year-if-you-are-uninsured-get-covered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/2014-a-new-year-if-you-are-uninsured-get-covered\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 A New Year: If You are Uninsured – Get Covered!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The new Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people find health coverage<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The health care reform law will make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans who do not have insurance coverage. If you qualify, the government is offering cost savings to help with certain costs.<\/p>\n

Guaranteed<\/span><\/strong> benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know that many preventive services are covered, including wellness visits, immunizations and screenings for cancer and other diseases? This means you will not pay any deductible, copay or co-insurance for many preventive services. These benefits are considered essential:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hospitalization<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Emergency services<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ambulatory patient services<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prescription drugs<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Laboratory services<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maternity and newborn care<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pediatric services, including oral and vision care<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Preventive and wellness services<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mental health and substance use disorder services<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices<\/p>\n

Getting started<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Before you start looking for the right plan for you, you need to figure out who needs coverage.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you need coverage just for you or coverage for you and your family?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How much coverage do you need or want?<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do you prefer to pay for your portion of the costs?<\/p>\n

Determine the level of coverage<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Health Insurance Marketplace plans are divided into a series of Metal Levels, depending on cost and level of benefits. Platinum covers the most, followed by Gold, then Silver, and Bronze covers the least. Depending on your age and income level, there may also be a Catastrophic Level available to you that offers the lowest level of coverage.<\/p>\n

For example, if you choose a Bronze Level plan, you have 60% minimum coverage. That means if you get $100 worth of care, you insurance company pays for $60, and you pay for the remaining $40. In this case, you\u2019d pay your $40 through a copay, coinsurance or deductible.<\/p>\n

Check to make sure that you have everything you need to enroll and to receive cost savings<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To get the tax credits or cost-sharing savings, you must submit an application to the government online at www.healthcare.gov.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The government will use your application to determine if you\u2019re eligible for cost savings.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Before you start, make sure you have social security numbers for yourself and everyone in your family who needs coverage.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Also, make sure you have employer and income information (e.g. pay stubs, W-2 forms [wage and tax statements]).<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You will need health insurance policy numbers for anyone in your family who currently has coverage.<\/p>\n

Get ready to enroll!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To have coverage starting January 1, 2014, you need to enroll by December 23, 2014.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The extended deadline of March 31, 2014 is the last day to get coverage for the remainder of 2014.<\/p>\n

Most people must have health coverage in 2014 or pay a fee<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have coverage in 2014, you\u2019ll have to pay a penalty of $95 per adult, $47.50 per child, or 1% of your income (whichever is higher). The fee increases every year. Some people may qualify for an exemption to this fee.<\/p>\n

If you enroll by March 31, 2014, you won\u2019t have to pay the fee for any month before your coverage began.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield can help<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

At Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield we are dedicated to making sure you have the health insurance that fits your needs and your budget.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our trained staff is available by phone at 1-877-935-5405 or at any of our Highmark Direct Stores throughout the area.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Remember, help is available to you. If at any point you need assistance, our customer service representatives are available to answer your health care reform questions.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you are eligible for cost savings, you need to enroll in an individual Metal Level plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you have any questions about using the Marketplace, your plan options or how you can make sure you have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage, our customer service representatives are ready to help you at 1-877-935-5405.<\/p>\n

We are committed to providing outstanding service<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are committed to providing outstanding services for our applicants and members. If you require special assistance, including accommodations for disabilities or limited English proficiency, please call Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield at 1-800-876-7639 to request these free services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The new Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people find health coverage The health care reform law will make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans who do not have insurance coverage. If you qualify, the government is offering cost savings to help with certain costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-highmark-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":351,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348\/revisions\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}