Question 1

If you terminate your employment in Gainesville, can you keep the health insurance benefits?

Accepted Answer

There are some benefits that can be continued for you and your dependents in Gainesville if you are still enrolled in a health plan upon termination. Under the federal COBRA law, health, dental, and vision benefits may continue for 18 months or possibly longer depending on the case. If you have supplemental plans, check with the insurance company for continuation forms.

Question 2

Can you enroll in a health insurance plan at any time in Gainesville?

Accepted Answer

You can only enroll in a health insurance plan at specific periods of the year. For off-market policies, the open enrollment period is October 1 to December 15, and for subsidized ones at the federal online marketplace, it is November 1 to December 15. The period for Medicare-related plans is October 15 to December 7. If you have a qualifying life event in Gainesville, such as pregnancy and marriage, you can enroll in a health insurance plan at any time, depending on your situation.

Question 3

What should you do if the insurer does not approve a procedure ordered by a doctor in Gainesville?

Accepted Answer

You are entitled to appeal the decision if your insurer does not approve a procedure ordered by the doctor. Insurers should provide the denial reason and inform the policyholder how to contest the decision. There are two ways to file an appeal: internal and external review. You can also ask your doctor in Gainesville to give the necessary documentation justifying the importance of the procedure.

Question 4

What are the advantages of getting short-term health insurance in Gainesville?

Accepted Answer

Short-term health insurance is affordable. It is advantageous to healthy individuals in Gainesville who may only need coverage for emergency situations but not for regular visits to a healthcare provider or costly prescription medication. However, you may not be covered for pre-existing conditions and be ineligible for guaranteed-issue individual health plans.

Question 5

How do you choose a health insurance agent in Gainesville?

Accepted Answer

Choose a health insurance agent in Gainesville whom you are comfortable talking to and who can answer your questions satisfactorily. You should verify the agent's license by calling the Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline at 850-413-3089 or 1-877-MY-FLCFO. Another way would be to visit the Florida Department of Financial Services online and use the license verification portal.

Question 6

How can you find affordable health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Affordable insurance is available through employers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers subsidies in the form of tax credits. You can also purchase coverage through private insurance companies and independent agents. Nearly half of all Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, and about 10% of the population is uninsured.

Question 7

What is health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Health insurance policies are contracts that require an insurer to pay some or all of a beneficiary's health care expenses in exchange for a premium and deductible. Plans cover preventive care and emergency medical services arising from an injury or illness. They may also offer optional coverage for dental and vision.

Question 8

How do health insurance companies make money?

Accepted Answer

Health insurance companies make money by collecting premiums from consumers and reinvesting the funds. Federal law requires insurers to put approximately 80-85% of collected funds toward claims, and 15-20% is used to pay for administrative expenses.

Question 9

What is subsidized health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Subsidized health insurance is available exclusively through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This system applies federal tax credits that can reduce or eliminate premiums. Tax credits are available to consumers who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level based on household size.

Question 10

What is a health insurance deductible?

Accepted Answer

A deductible is a fixed amount you must pay out-of-pocket before normal copays or coinsurance rates apply. Under the Affordable Care Act, some services, such as annual physicals and wellness screenings, must be covered at no charge.

Question 11

Is it illegal to not have health insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Starting in 2019, the federal government eliminated the penalty that applied to individuals who could afford health insurance but chose not to purchase it. Financial penalties still apply in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

Question 12

Does health insurance cover therapy?

Accepted Answer

All Marketplace plans must cover behavioral health care services, including counseling, inpatient care, and substance abuse treatments. However, there are coverage limits, and preauthorization may be required.

Question 13

What is a copay?

Accepted Answer

A copay is a fixed price that you pay at the time of service after your deductible is satisfied. Insurance companies set specific rates for primary and specialty care and other services, such as emergency room visits and X-rays. Alternatively, plans may have coinsurance rates that require beneficiaries to pay a certain percentage of covered charges.

Question 14

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

Accepted Answer

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal service designed to help consumers compare and purchase subsidized health insurance plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act. A number of states operate their own insurance marketplaces, including California, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Question 15

How can you find health insurance without a job?

Accepted Answer

Individuals who don't have access to health insurance through their job can purchase ACA-compliant plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Off-exchange plans are also available through private insurers and independent agents. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives certain individuals who are losing their coverage the right to maintain the same plan for a limited time period.

Question 16

Can you cancel health insurance at any time?

Accepted Answer

Consumers can cancel their health coverage at any time. Cancellations may be effective immediately or at a specified date. However, you must wait until Open Enrollment to sign up for a new plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment period.

Question 17

Can you have more than one health insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

It's possible to have primary and secondary health insurance. This is most common with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including dual enrollees and individuals who purchase supplemental plans. Secondary plans can cover some additional expenses, but you're still responsible for premiums and deductibles.

Question 18

Is health insurance pretax?

Accepted Answer

Premiums for employer-sponsored health plans are generally deducted from the worker's pretax income. The same is true for voluntary contributions made to Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that are paired with a qualifying high-deductible health plan.

Question 19

How long can a child stay on a parent\'s health insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

Children can stay on their parents' health insurance plan until their 26th birthday. There's a 60-day special enrollment period following this date. Exemptions allow disabled adult children to remain on their parents' policy beyond this age.

Question 20

Do you have to pay a health insurance deductible upfront?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, out-of-pocket expenses for approved services count toward your deductible. However, it's increasingly common for hospitals to request all or part of the deductible upfront when scheduling major services, such as CT scans and surgeries.

Question 21

Do employers have to offer health insurance?

Accepted Answer

The Affordable Care Act requires companies with at least 50 full-time employees to make essential health benefits available to 95% of their workforce. Companies that choose not to offer such benefits may have to pay a penalty.

Question 22

Is there a tax credit for having health insurance?

Accepted Answer

The Advance Premium Tax Credit is a federal tax rebate designed to lower the cost of health insurance plans purchased through the Marketplace. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Consumers can decide how much of their tax credit to put toward their premiums.

We did the research for you!

Health Insurance Agencies FAQs

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Why choose this provider?

License Verified:

Reputation:

Professionalism:

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

If you terminate your employment in Gainesville, can you keep the health insurance benefits?

Can you enroll in a health insurance plan at any time in Gainesville?

What should you do if the insurer does not approve a procedure ordered by a doctor in Gainesville?

What are the advantages of getting short-term health insurance in Gainesville?

How do you choose a health insurance agent in Gainesville?

How can you find affordable health insurance?