Best Health Insurance Agencies in Olathe

Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  If you're looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, an agent can help you save time, understand your options, and manage your costs. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. They can provide information about on- and off-exchange plans to help you weigh all of your options, and they can see if you qualify for tax credits that can lower your monthly premiums. There's no cost to work with an agent, and they can help you save quite a bit by recommending the best plan for your needs. Here's what you should know before you get started.
  

• How much would one expect to pay for health insurance in Olathe?

  The most affordable health insurance plan in Olathe as of 2023 costs $353. The actual cost will vary depending on the health insurance plan chosen, as those with the lowest premiums will have higher out-of-pocket expenses. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum are the four levels of coverage available for health insurance policies.

• Is it mandatory to carry health insurance in Olathe?

  No, residents of Olathe and the rest of Kansas are not legally required to purchase health insurance because no laws require it. The individual mandate, which requires you and your dependent children to have minimum essential coverage, remains in the Affordable Care Act. However, there is currently no penalty for failing to comply with this requirement, effectively rendering the mandate unenforceable.

• What is the process for appealing a denied health insurance claim in Olathe?

  For individual policies, you have the option to make a first appeal within the insurance company and a second appeal with an independent party. Two internal appeals may be required for group policies before an external review. Kansas occasionally allows for an external review to be conducted instead of the second appeal. You can contact the Kansas Insurance Department at 800-432-2484 or file a complaint online (https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=KS&dswid=-8725) if you are dissatisfied with the manner in which your insurance handles matters.

• Are health insurance providers in Olathe legally permitted to charge higher premiums to smokers compared to non-smokers?

  Yes, the Affordable Care Act allows health insurance providers in and around Olathe to inquire about an individual's tobacco use before enrolling them in a plan and to raise premiums for those who do use tobacco products. This additional premium is not tax deductible. Individuals enrolled in a group plan who successfully complete a smoking cessation program may be exempt from this fee.

• Is there a low-cost health insurance option for minor children in Olathe?

  Yes, Kancare, also referred to as the State Children's Health Insurance Program, offers affordable health insurance to uninsured children and potentially eligible parents in Olathe and throughout Kansas. To qualify, individuals must be Kansas residents aged 18 or younger or the primary caregivers of children falling within the same age group. They must hold US citizenship, nationality, or legal admission as non-citizens. Additionally, they should lack health insurance coverage and be ineligible for Medicaid.

• How can you find affordable health insurance? 

  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.