Best Health Insurance Agencies in Huntington

FAQs

• 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.
  

• Can you still get health insurance if you missed the open enrollment period in Huntington?

  The Huntington open enrollment period is the time when residents can shop for and apply for new health insurance. Only during this time period can you make changes to your health insurance. However, if a qualifying event occurs, you can obtain coverage outside of the open enrollment period. Qualifying events include losing job-based insurance, moving, marriage, divorce, having a baby, or the death of a family member. These occurrences give you access to a special health insurance enrollment period.

• Are the residents of Huntington eligible to qualify for tax credits to lower the cost of health insurance coverage?

  Yes, increased financial assistance is now available to existing and new consumers in Huntington and other New York cities enrolling in health insurance through the NY State of Health. It is part of the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. Tax credits are available to low, moderate, and high-income residents of the city who purchase health insurance through the Marketplace.

• Who is eligible for Medicare in Huntington?

  Medicare is a type of federal health insurance program. It is known to address the healthcare needs of the elderly, those aged 65 and up. Medicare is automatically provided to senior citizens in Huntington who receive social security benefits. If they are not, they can apply before, on, or after their 65th birthday. Medicare is also available to people under the age of 65 who have disabilities or end-stage renal disease.

• Do you need to enroll in Medicare in Huntington even if you are still working and have insurance?

  This is determined by the number of employees enrolled in the company's group health insurance. If your Huntington company has 20 or more employees covered by group health insurance, you can postpone your Medicare enrollment without penalty. However, if your company has fewer than 20 employees covered by group health insurance, you may need to consider enrolling in Medicare. Small employers may encourage their employees to enroll in Medicare as their primary insurance, with their employer's health insurance serving as secondary coverage.

• Can you get health insurance coverage in Huntington if you have a pre-existing condition?

  The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the federal health care act, was enacted to protect citizens' rights to health insurance. Insurance companies in Huntington cannot refuse you coverage simply because you have a pre-existing condition, according to the Affordable Care Act. They cannot also charge you more or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had prior to the start of your coverage.

• 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.

• What is health insurance?

  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.

• How do health insurance companies make money?

  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.

• What is subsidized health insurance?

  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.

• What is a health insurance deductible? 

  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.

• Is it illegal to not have health insurance?

  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.

• Does health insurance cover therapy? 

  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.
  

• What is a copay?

  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.

• What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

  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.
  

• How can you find health insurance without a job?

  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. 
  

• Can you cancel health insurance at any time? 

  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.

• Can you have more than one health insurance policy?

  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.

• Is health insurance pretax?

  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.

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

  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.

• Do you have to pay a health insurance deductible upfront?

  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.

• Do employers have to offer health insurance?

  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.

• Is there a tax credit for having health insurance?

  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.