Category: Health Insurance

What Is Open Enrollment for Santa Clarita, CA Health Insurance?

“Open Enrollment” refers to the period in which California state residents are eligible to apply for or make changes to new and existing health insurance policies.

In most cases, the open enrollment period for changing insurance plans, coverage, or dependents occurs only once each year.

However, a few exceptions to the open enrollment rules allow certain changes to be made outside the standard enrollment period.

Contact QuoteBroker Insurance Services if you’re experiencing one of the extenuating circumstances above or if you need health insurance advice from a trusted local insurance professional.

Exceptions to California’s Standard Open Enrollment Period

Qualifying life events include losing your primary source of income, experiencing a steep income reduction, relocating, and getting married (or divorced).

These extenuating circumstances allow some California health insurance policyholders to update, change, cancel, or modify their health insurance plans outside the statewide enrollment period.

Other special circumstances that can supersede the dates of California’s upcoming open enrollment period include:

• Having a Baby
• Adopting a Child
• Becoming Eligible for Medicare
• Losing Eligibility for Other Insurance

Our team of licensed insurance experts can help you determine if you qualify for an open enrollment exemption and help you choose the best health plan to meet your family’s healthcare needs based on medical conditions, lifestyle, and budget.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to explore your health insurance options and get adequate coverage.

Contact QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA about enrollment options outside of California’s upcoming open enrollment period today!

The typical view of "seeing the doctor" is that you do it at least once a year for an annual checkup. But not everyone follows this timetable; many don’t see a doctor for years. This can have a consequence that many people don’t realize is possible: Their old doctor may no longer be their doctor, and they may not be able to see that doctor anymore. QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA, wants you to be aware of this if it’s been a while since you’ve had a doctor’s appointment.

Time Limits to Keep Patient Numbers Reasonable

When you have a doctor you see regularly, you’re considered to be one of that doctor’s current patients not only by the doctor but also by any administrative staff, as well as by your insurance, if you have that. However, doctors can see only so many patients before their schedule becomes so full that patients have to wait weeks to get an appointment.

Many doctors have time limits on when they’ll consider someone to be a current patient. If you go too long without seeing the doctor (e.g., three years with no appointments), you could be "kicked off" their roster of patients. You’d have to re-establish yourself as a new patient for that doctor, but if they aren’t accepting new patients at that time, then you may find you’re not able to see them again. And finding a new doctor now can be difficult.

Reasons for not seeing a doctor for so long range from just feeling great and not thinking you need to go to not having insurance and not being able to afford the fees for the appointment. QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA, can help you find a policy that makes seeing your doctor financially feasible.

Navigating the realm of health insurance can feel like deciphering a complex language. Understanding the jargon is vital for making informed decisions about your healthcare coverage. Let QuoteBroker Insurance Services, serving the greater Santa Clarita, CA area, demystify some common health insurance terms, making it easier for you to comprehend your policy.

Decoding Health Insurance 

Premium: Your Membership Fee

The premium is the amount you pay for your health insurance coverage. It’s typically a monthly fee, and paying it ensures that your policy remains active.

Deductible: Your Initial Financial Responsibility

The deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for covered services before your insurance kicks in. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, you’ll cover that amount before your insurer starts sharing the costs.

Co-Payment (Co-Pay): Your Share of Service Costs

A co-payment is a fixed amount you pay for a covered service, usually due at the time of service. For instance, your plan might require a $20 co-pay for each doctor’s visit.

Co-Insurance: Sharing Costs with Your Insurer

Co-insurance is the percentage of costs you share with your insurance company after you’ve met your deductible. If your plan has 20% co-insurance, you’ll pay 20% of covered expenses, and your insurer covers the rest.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Your Cost Limit

The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you’ll have to pay for covered services in a plan year. Once you reach this limit, your insurance covers all remaining costs.

Have Questions? Consult With Us

Understanding these fundamental terms empowers you to make informed choices about your health coverage. If ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to QuoteBroker Insurance Services, serving Santa Clarita, CA for clarification. Call us today with questions or to purchase a new policy.

With the bathing suit season in full swing, people are looking for ways to lose a few extra pounds here in the Santa Clarita, CA area.

Here are a few tips from us at QuoteBroker Insurance Services that may help:

1. Cut down on processed foods

Eating processed foods like canned goods, frozen meals, and pre-made snacks can quickly add up in calories and unwanted fat. Try to cut these out of your diet and substitute them with healthier options like fruits and veggies.

2. Increase your physical activity

 Increasing physical activity can be an easy way to start losing weight. Take a 30-minute walk every day or sign up for a gym membership and commit to going several times a week. This will help burn more calories and increase your energy levels as well! 

3. Drink lots of water

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps flush out toxins from your body which can result in fewer cravings for sugary snacks or high-calorie drinks. Water also helps give you an added boost of energy! 

4. Make healthy meal choices

When eating out or grocery shopping, make sure to opt for healthier alternatives like lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, etc. Avoid things like fried foods as they are often loaded with unhealthy fats that can add extra calories quickly! 

Keep Your Health Insurance Updated

By following these simple tips, you can easily shed some extra pounds and stay fit during the summer season! For more tips, give us at QuoteBroker Insurance Services a call today. We are proud to serve the Santa Clarita, CA area and would be happy to help you find a health insurance policy that meets both your needs and your budget.

Choosing your health insurance is one of the most important decisions that you make every year. Just letting your policy continue from one year to the next may not be in your best interest. At QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA, we are an independent agency, which means we can offer insurance from multiple carriers, allowing our customers to have more choices. 

Questions to ask before choosing health insurance coverage

Is my doctor in the network?

Before deciding on a health insurance policy, it is vital that if you have a preferred doctor or other healthcare professionals, you make sure that they are in the network you are considering. Not every doctor is in every network, and it is up to you to make sure that the doctors you want are covered by your plan. 

What is the plan deductible?

Before your health insurance starts to pay for services, the deductible must be met. If it is too high, it can mean that you will have no services that are covered. It is a fine balance between a policy that you can afford and one that provides you with the coverage you need. 

What type of managed care is it?

There are three main types of managed care; an HMO. PPO, and POS. All of them have good points and not-so-good points. An HMO is the most restrictive, providing little or no coverage outside your network, but is the least expensive. A PPO will give you a better rate if you stay within your network and a POS lets you decide if you want to have service in or out of the network. If you need flexibility, it is the best choice. 

Give us a call

Contact QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA if you need more information about your health insurance options. 

If you are looking to purchase a new health insurance policy, the team at QuoteBroker Insurance Services, serving the greater Santa Clarita, CA area, can help you. One of the things that we strongly recommend is familiarizing yourself with financial terms that you may see on health insurance policies.

Knowing what these terms mean can make it easier for you to find the right policy for your needs:

Premium

Your premium is the amount you pay to carry health insurance. Some people pay this every month, while other people may pay the entire term of the policy, usually six or 12 months, up front. The premium is the cost simply to purchase your health insurance policy. 

Deductible

The deductible is the amount that you have to pay before your policy kicks in and starts paying for coverage. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you will need to pay your first $1,000worth of medical bills before the insurance company pays for the rest of the costs. 

Co-Payment

Once you have met the terms of your deductible, you may have a co-payment. This is how much you will have to pay out of pocket for each doctor’s visit or for prescriptions. Co-pays are generally fairly low, usually ranging from around $20 to $50. 

Out-Of-Pocket Maximum

The final term you should know is the out-of-pocket maximum. This is how much you may have to pay out-of-pocket. Once you reach this amount, all of your medical expenses up to your maximum policy limit amount will be covered and you will no longer need to pay anything out of your own pockets. 

Get Health Insurance Today

When you are in the market for a new health insurance policy, look no further than QuoteBroker Insurance Services, serving the greater Santa Clarita, CA region. Our team can listen to what you want and need in a health insurance policy, and then get to work helping you to find the best policy for your needs. Reach out to us today to get started.      

You can’t be at your very best if your health is failing you. Unfortunately, with the rising healthcare costs in America, financing your medical bills from your pocket can be taxing. As a result, at QuoteBroker Insurance Services, we advise our clients to invest in a sound health insurance plan to avoid running into a financial mess when diseases and injuries occur. 

Health Insurance Coverage Options in California

Like other insurance policies, health insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all coverage. There are several health insurance plans to answer different needs. These include:

• Medicare: It’s an insurance plan for persons aged 65 and above. Also, certain younger persons with disabilities and patients with end-stage renal disease may be eligible for Medicare. Medicare is divided into parts A, B, C, and D. Your insurance agent should help you know the difference.
• Medicaid: This insurance plan is for eligible low-income families, children, pregnant mothers, elderly persons, and people with disabilities.
• Dental and vision health plans: Usually, your standard health insurance plan excludes dental and vision coverage. However, you can get separate policies to cover your dental and eye health.
• Corporate health plans: Businesses don’t have to get an individual health insurance plan for every employee. There are corporate health plans designed for companies and organizations.
• Individual health plan: You can purchase health insurance as an individual.
• Group health plan: This health insurance plan targets groups like families.  

While health insurance isn’t mandatory in the US, it’s a worthwhile investment given that America’s health services are the most costly around the globe.

Protect your health today with health insurance in Santa Clarita, CA

Understanding health insurance in the US can be a nightmare. Thankfully, you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you are in Santa Clarita, CA, please get in touch with QuoteBroker Insurance Services, and we will help you choose a health insurance policy that suits your needs.

Having a baby is one of life’s most exciting moments, but between the constant crying, lack of sleep, and consistent feeding, it is easy to forget to do the little things – like signing your baby up for health insurance. Luckily, you can take a breath because if you receive medical benefits through your employer, your baby will be automatically covered under your policy for the first 30 days. Giving birth is a qualifying life event, which means that you can either sign your baby up for your current plan or switch to a different one during a period outside of open enrollment. These rules apply to any new parents – regardless of whether you are having a natural birth or adopting.

If you do not have insurance through your workplace, you can use the federal government’s health insurance marketplace to shop for coverage through a Special Enrollment Period. Similar to above, this is a time outside of the open enrollment period when you can sign up for health insurance because you’ve had a qualifying life event like having a baby, adoption, getting married, and losing existing coverage. You have up to 60 days after the qualifying event to sign up for health insurance. If you attempt to sign up outside of that range, you’ll have to wait until the next open enrollment period.

At QuoteBroker Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA, we understand that having a baby can be exciting and overwhelming. Consequently, we make it easy for you to find the best health insurance policy for your needs by doing the heavy lifting for you. Give us a call today to learn more.