Please help us spread the word - do you know a communications expert who's looking for a new challenge? We're currently recruiting for a Public Affairs Communications and Social Media Manager.
This position reports to the Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs and manages select agency-wide public affairs strategies and communication projects. It also oversees the agency's social media efforts, represents the agency as senior writer and editor on legislatively required reports and high-profile projects for the commissioner and is primary spokesperson for news media and stakeholder groups on agency administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions.
Here's the full job announcement. Please share with anyone you think might be interested.
We're taking applications through Oct.8.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
How to contact Washington's Health Benefits Exchange
The Healthplanfinder can also help you find other people -- a broker in your local community, say, or a nearby in-person assister -- to help you through the process. Click on the link or image above to find out more.
Friday, September 20, 2013
"I'm on Medicare Part A and B. I want to drop Part B and buy a health plan through the Exchange so that I can get a subsidy"
Don't do it.
That's worth saying again: Do Not Do This.
Here's why: Most health insurance plans have language in their policies that lets them drop anyone who is eligible for Medicare. As a result, even if you manage to sign up for the plan, the company will likely eventually figure out that you're eligible for Medicare and will drop you.
Then, if you go back onto Medicare Part B, you'll have to pay a penalty for as long as you continue to have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B.
And that's not all. If you are Medicare-eligible and you purchase a plan offered on the Exchange, you are not eligible for an Exchange plan subsidy. (If you are on Medicare, you are already getting a subsidy, because the federal government pays far more in Medicare costs that current Medicare recipients paid into the program.)
That's worth saying again: Do Not Do This.
Here's why: Most health insurance plans have language in their policies that lets them drop anyone who is eligible for Medicare. As a result, even if you manage to sign up for the plan, the company will likely eventually figure out that you're eligible for Medicare and will drop you.
Then, if you go back onto Medicare Part B, you'll have to pay a penalty for as long as you continue to have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B.
And that's not all. If you are Medicare-eligible and you purchase a plan offered on the Exchange, you are not eligible for an Exchange plan subsidy. (If you are on Medicare, you are already getting a subsidy, because the federal government pays far more in Medicare costs that current Medicare recipients paid into the program.)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
"I just got a letter from my insurer saying that I have to switch health plans because of Obamacare. What can I do?"
Tens of thousands of Washingtonians are -- or will be soon -- getting letters from their health insurers telling them that their plans are going away and that they'll need to pick a new one.
In some cases, those benefits mean that the premiums for the new plans will cost more, or that deductibles will be higher.
So what can you do?
1) Remember that as part of health care reform, many consumers will now qualify for subsidies to help offset costs. If your household income is less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level (e.g. $62,040 for a family of two, or $94,200 for a family of four), you may qualify for those subsidies. Also, expanded Medicaid coverage will be available -- for free -- for households that are at less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($21,404 for a family of two).
In other to get the subsidy, which is technically a tax credit, you would need to buy your health coverage through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. Enrollment begins Oct. 1, with coverage starting Jan. 1, 2014. Here's a map with links to the rates for health insurance in the Exchange.
2) Shop around for a better deal. You do not need to stay with the insurance company you're with now, although that fact isn't necessarily trumpeted by the insurers in the letters they're sending out. So go on the Exchange -- you can still shop there, even if you don't qualify for a subsidy -- or check with a broker to see what else is available, and what it costs.
What if you have a pre-existing condition and have been turned down for health coverage in the past? It no longer matters. As part of health care reform, insurers must take all applicants. No more health screenings or questionnaires.
3) Remember that the premium is only part of the cost of insurance, particularly if you use the coverage. Your actual out of pocket costs are determined by how much of a deductible you have to meet, how much the co-pays or coinsurance charges are, what drugs are covered, etc. We calculate, for example, that the preventive care included in these policies without any copays, etc. is worth about $500.
"In order to comply with the new health care law, your current health plan will be discontinued on Dec. 31, 2013," reads one of the letters, which are being sent out by about half a dozen insurers. "But don't worry. You have lots of options."What's going on? Under health care reform, each health plan has to cover 10 essential benefits. Some of those benefits -- such as prescription drug coverage -- aren't included in many health individual health plans today. The new plans also have to include numerous preventive services, and meet standards for what they'll cover.
In some cases, those benefits mean that the premiums for the new plans will cost more, or that deductibles will be higher.
So what can you do?
1) Remember that as part of health care reform, many consumers will now qualify for subsidies to help offset costs. If your household income is less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level (e.g. $62,040 for a family of two, or $94,200 for a family of four), you may qualify for those subsidies. Also, expanded Medicaid coverage will be available -- for free -- for households that are at less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($21,404 for a family of two).
In other to get the subsidy, which is technically a tax credit, you would need to buy your health coverage through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. Enrollment begins Oct. 1, with coverage starting Jan. 1, 2014. Here's a map with links to the rates for health insurance in the Exchange.
2) Shop around for a better deal. You do not need to stay with the insurance company you're with now, although that fact isn't necessarily trumpeted by the insurers in the letters they're sending out. So go on the Exchange -- you can still shop there, even if you don't qualify for a subsidy -- or check with a broker to see what else is available, and what it costs.
What if you have a pre-existing condition and have been turned down for health coverage in the past? It no longer matters. As part of health care reform, insurers must take all applicants. No more health screenings or questionnaires.
3) Remember that the premium is only part of the cost of insurance, particularly if you use the coverage. Your actual out of pocket costs are determined by how much of a deductible you have to meet, how much the co-pays or coinsurance charges are, what drugs are covered, etc. We calculate, for example, that the preventive care included in these policies without any copays, etc. is worth about $500.
"I was turned down for life insurance due to my health. Does this mean I can't get life insurance at all?"
Not necessarily. Different life insurers have different underwriting standards, so another company might insure someone with your health condition.
So try a different company, or try going through a broker, who might know more about which companies might be the best match for your individual situation.
Also, it's a good idea to check with your employer. Some employers offer some life insurance coverage (say $25,000 or $50,000) to their employees without requiring employees to answer health questions.
So try a different company, or try going through a broker, who might know more about which companies might be the best match for your individual situation.
Also, it's a good idea to check with your employer. Some employers offer some life insurance coverage (say $25,000 or $50,000) to their employees without requiring employees to answer health questions.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Pierce County man charged with insurance fraud and attempted theft
A University Place man, Leandre Garner, has been charged by the attorney general's office with felony insurance fraud and second-degree attempted theft for filing a bogus claim with State Farm.
On Nov. 8, 2012, Garner got coverage online with the company for his 2007 Chrysler 300. Prior to that date, the vehicle was uninsured.
On Nov. 9, 2012, Garner said, he returned home from an appointment and discovered that his car had been hit by an unknown vehicle. The damage was estimated at $4,339. Garner filed a claim.
The problem: half a dozen people subsequently told investigators from State Farm and our Special Investigations Unit that Garner's car was damaged well before November. His ex-girlfriend said it happened around September, not November. A nearby tenant, an apartment office worker and an apartment groundskeeper also said the accident happened well before Nov. 8. So did the body shop that did the estimate.
Asked if he'd taken photos of the damage, Garner showed a State Farm investigator cell phone images he'd taken. He was surprised when the investigator pointed out that the metadata embedded in the images showed that they'd been taken Sept. 19, 2012.
When asked about this, Garner said that the must be a problem with the phone.
Arraignment is scheduled for Pierce County Superior Court on Sept. 24, 2013.
On Nov. 8, 2012, Garner got coverage online with the company for his 2007 Chrysler 300. Prior to that date, the vehicle was uninsured.
On Nov. 9, 2012, Garner said, he returned home from an appointment and discovered that his car had been hit by an unknown vehicle. The damage was estimated at $4,339. Garner filed a claim.
The problem: half a dozen people subsequently told investigators from State Farm and our Special Investigations Unit that Garner's car was damaged well before November. His ex-girlfriend said it happened around September, not November. A nearby tenant, an apartment office worker and an apartment groundskeeper also said the accident happened well before Nov. 8. So did the body shop that did the estimate.
Asked if he'd taken photos of the damage, Garner showed a State Farm investigator cell phone images he'd taken. He was surprised when the investigator pointed out that the metadata embedded in the images showed that they'd been taken Sept. 19, 2012.
When asked about this, Garner said that the must be a problem with the phone.
Arraignment is scheduled for Pierce County Superior Court on Sept. 24, 2013.
Monday, September 16, 2013
"I heard I can keep my adult child on my health insurance until age 26. But do I have to?"
Q: I heard I can keep my adult children on my health insurance until they turn 26. But what if I don't want to?
A: Then don't. Health care reform permits -- but doesn't require -- parents to keep their adult children on the parent's health plan up to age 26, unless the children have coverage through their own employer.
That said, you may want to provide coverage if you can afford it. No one is immune from bad luck, and rates for medical care when a person has no insurance can be very high indeed.
Also: if your child doesn't have a job or has a job that doesn't offer health coverage, you may be able to extend your coverage to him/her more cheaply than they could buy an individual policy on their own.
A: Then don't. Health care reform permits -- but doesn't require -- parents to keep their adult children on the parent's health plan up to age 26, unless the children have coverage through their own employer.
That said, you may want to provide coverage if you can afford it. No one is immune from bad luck, and rates for medical care when a person has no insurance can be very high indeed.
Also: if your child doesn't have a job or has a job that doesn't offer health coverage, you may be able to extend your coverage to him/her more cheaply than they could buy an individual policy on their own.
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