Best Health Insurance Agencies in Lynchburg

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.
  

• Is there an individual mandate for health insurance in Lynchburg?

  No, Virginia does not have a state mandate, but it follows the federal Affordable Care Act, which requires all citizens to have health insurance. The tax penalty previously imposed on people who did not have coverage for the tax year has been removed. So, if you do not have health insurance in Lynchburg or have a gap in your coverage, you must report it on your tax return but no longer have to pay a penalty.

• Is there a marketplace group health insurance option that small business owners in Lynchburg can offer their employees?

  Yes, small businesses in Lynchburg are not required to provide insurance to their employees, but they can do so through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). To qualify for SHOP, the company must have a maximum of 50 full-time equivalent employees and a primary business address in Virginia. All full-time employees must be offered insurance, and 70% of those who receive it must enroll. Employers may be eligible for a tax credit equal to 50% of the insurance costs they sponsor.

• Where can you buy ACA-compliant health insurance plans in Lynchburg?

  Lynchburg residents can purchase ACA-compliant health plans both on-exchange and off-exchange from Virginia's insurance marketplace (http://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/). It is important to note that financial assistance to help reduce your insurance costs is only available if you buy on-exchange. In other ways, both purchasing options would be comparable. You will pay the same premiums on and off the exchange and must enroll in your health plan during the same open enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to January 15.

• Can you still cover a child who is no longer financially dependent on you under your health insurance plan in Lynchburg?

  Yes, you can add any child to your Lynchburg health plan, even if they are already financially independent, as long as they are under the age of 26, including biological, adopted, and stepchildren. You can also insure your child even if they are already married, live away from home, or are not in school. Grandchildren who are legally your adoptive or guardian can also be covered as a dependent. These conditions are outlined in Virginia Code Section 38.2-3439.

• When can you enroll your new baby in your ACA health insurance plan in Lynchburg?

  Within 60 days of the birth, you must enroll your baby as a dependent in your Lynchburg health plan. You are not required to attend the open enrollment period (OEP). Your child's birth is a qualifying life event for which you can apply for a special enrollment period (SEP). If you enroll within 60 days of the baby's birth date, their coverage will begin retroactively on that date. You will have to wait for the next OEP if you do not.

• 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.