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As you already know, Acadiana Benefits Group will no longer be handling non-grandfathered individual health insurance purchased since 2010. The decision was not an easy one to make. Although I have not accepted new individual health insurance clients since the end of 2015, I have continued to assist anyone who was already a client. Unfortunately, the individual health insurance market has grown more and more time consuming and helping clients with their individual coverage has begun to affect the level of service I am able to provide to other aspects of my business. Your past business and the trust you placed in us is greatly appreciated. I regret we are not able to continue to take care or all clients as we have enjoyed doing in the past. – Jude Broussard
Are you possibly eligible for lower-cost small group health insurance? Clients currently covered under an individual health insurance policy may qualify to purchase a “small group” health insurance plan. Currently most small group medical insurance rates are 30-50% less expensive than comparable individual health insurance. Although it is possible for existing small business owners to change their business to an LLC or other eligible form, it is not lawful for anyone to “start” a business for the sole purpose of obtaining health insurance.
Please review the following and contact my office if you feel you may qualify and we will be happy to discuss further.
- Small groups require a minimum of two individuals who are either an owner or W-2 employee.
- Most small groups are not required to offer small group coverage to all employees.
- Businesses must be setup with the Louisiana Secretary of State as an LLC or C-Corp.
- Businesses must have a separate Federal Employer Tax ID number.
- Businesses must have a checking account in the name of the business.
- Small group plans are not eligible for the individual premium subsidy, nor cost-sharing assistance which reduces the out-of-pocket medical costs for qualified individuals.
-Group plans are typically available any month during the year and plans are not required to be purchased or setup by January 1st.
- Individual Medicare Supplement Insurance – typically for individuals turning 65 who are covered under Medicare Part A & B.
- Group insurance plans and guidance for small to midsized employers with 2 to 250 employees: Group Medical - Group Dental - Group Vision -
Group Short-term & Group Long-term Disability - Group Life & Accident
Other group voluntary benefits – such as AFLAC and other companies
Following are resources that may be helpful to individuals interested in individual health insurance other than Medicare coverage plans and group health insurance. The following information being provided in good faith, in an attempt to assist clients and individuals with selecting and enrolling in individual health insurance coverage. The information provided is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge. Persons should only use the following information if they understand and agree that Breaux & Broussard LLC, dba: Acadiana Benefits Group and Jude Broussard are not responsible for any discrepancy or omission. Individuals should rely on information provided by Healthcare.gov, Carriers, and other tax or legal advisors.
– The premium rate increases are significant and this is on-top of the past years large-double-digit increases.
There are numerous companies, some sounding legitimate, that or trying to take advantage of the situation by offering “medical coverage” to individuals faced with these high premiums. Some of these companies refer to “health coverage” or “medical coverage,” as well as office visit copays, PPO networks, and coinsurance, but these terms may be used with “plans” that are not qualified health insurance. Some of these plans may be an alternative for someone that has already decided to be un-insured.
Following are the only insurance companies offering legitimate new individual ACA compliant health insurance coverage in the Acadiana and surrounding areas are. Other carriers, such as Aetna, CIGNA, HUMANA, United Healthcare, do offer other health insurance plans, such as group plans, Medicare related plans, and others.
Carrier: Blue Cross Blue Shield LA - 1-800-425-4828 Website: www.bcbsla.com
Carrier: Vantage Health Plan - 1-888-823-1910 Website: www.vantagehealthplan.com
Federal Marketplace Call Center - 1-800-318-2596 Website: www.healthcare.gov
Assisters are trained and certified individuals. They can help you apply and enroll in a health plan with savings or apply for Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP.) They are required to provide fair, impartial, and accurate information. Additional resources are listed at www.Healthcare.gov.
Acadiana Area Assisters:
https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/
This resource is part of the Marketplace website and allows you to enter your household size and state. A chart will be displayed with various income brackets for various levels of assistance available to individuals or families.
- Bracket 1: income below this amount may be eligible for coverage under Medicaid.
- Bracket 2: income in this range may be eligible for a premium-subsidy to off-set the monthly cost of coverage, AND cost-sharing assistance that reduces the out-of-pocket medical costs associated with a Silver Plan.
- Bracket 3: income in this range may be eligible for a premium-subsidy to off-set the monthly cost of coverage
- Bracket 4: income above this amount may not be eligible for subsidy assistance nor cost-sharing.
https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/
This resource will allow you to see plans and estimate your premium, including any possible subsidy.
Following are suggestions to help you get through this preliminary step with the least amount of trouble.
Question: Are you enrolled in a 2017 Marketplace health plan?
Answer: SKIP
Question: Who’s in your household?
Answer: Include anyone in your household even if they don’t need health insurance coverage.
On the “Estimated savings overview” screen, which will show your estimated premium tax credit, scroll to the bottom of the page and select CONTINUE, then CONTINUE TO PLANS on the following screen, followed by NEXT on the pop-up window.
I recommend you select “See all plans” on the following pop-up screen.
A list of plans available in your area will be displayed with a premium after your estimated subsidy.
https://www.kff.org/interactive/penalty-calculator/
The Individual Mandate Penalty Calculator estimates your penalty for going uninsured vs. an estimate of how much you would pay for the lowest cost health insurance coverage on the Marketplace in your area.
The following information is being provided because numerous clients have asked about Christian Health Sharing Ministries. The programs are NOT health insurance. I am not recommending or endorsing any of the plans listed and I cannot provide any additional information. The following four plans are, to my knowledge, are the only plans that may allow a person to apply for an exemption from the Federal individual mandate penalty.
How do they work: Each ministry operates slightly differently, but the basic intention remains the same: Every month, members pay a certain amount (their “share”) into the ministry. When a need arises — say you break your leg, or get diagnosed with lung cancer, or have a baby — you submit your bills to the ministry’s office and you expect to receive payments for the total amount you owe, usually in the form of checks or direct deposits from various members. Some ministries hold the funds in an online escrow account; others have members mail their checks directly to the other members. Shares out are published by the ministries each month, so you can see that your share. The ministry itself does not accept any risk or make guarantees medical expenses will be paid.
Breaux & Broussard LLC, dba: Acadiana Benefits Group, does not provide legal or tax advice. Any statements are general and for informational purposes only. Individuals should contact a CPA, lawyer, or tax-advisor for specific advice. Information is being provided in good faith, in an attempt to assist clients and individuals with selecting and enrolling in individual health insurance coverage. The information provided is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge. Breaux & Broussard LLC, dba: Acadiana Benefits Group and Jude Broussard are not responsible for any discrepancy or omission. Individuals should rely on information provided by Healthcare.gov, Carriers, and other tax or legal advisors.
Breaux & Broussard, LLC - dba: Acadiana Benefits Group
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