California health
insurance
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California health
insurance basics
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Shopping tips for California health plansInsider's Tips on Shopping for California Health Insurance
When you work exclusively in one market for almost two decades, you start to learn a few tricks..hopefully.
When you throw another 12 years of web experience in that same industry, everything takes on a definitely online slant. After helping 1000's of online shoppers, we sat back and asked what would be the best tips we could offer in trying to get the best California health quote for you, your family, or company?
We wanted the top concerns that would save you the most money while still providing you with solid coverage. Is that even possible on the today's market?
Yes and this why...many people we come across are on really bad plans or at least, bad in terms of value. Let's jump right into our top tips!
1. First, we want to make
sure to see the best quotes
available.
When you run your quote, use the age of the younger spouse as the primary since some carriers will quote based on this age (even though other spouse is younger).
We want to make an informed decision and reflecting the best rates is a start.
2. Go PPO or HSA.
HMO's plans on the individual family market are so expensive now that they almost never make sense unless someone else is paying your premium and even then... The cost can be two to three times that of a mid-level PPO plan. The numbers just don't work in your favor.
3. All plans cover
maternity coverage effective
July 1st, 2012.
Even older plans or the so-called "grandfathered" plans cover maternity as a core benefit due to California legislation. It's no longer a factor in which plan to choose.
We cannot exclude this benefit.
4. The two factors that
probably matter most are
deductible and max out of
pocket.
These two numbers dictate how much you'll pay in case of large medical bills.
When running your quote, there are two benefit headings for "deductible" and "copay limit" (which is interchangeable with out of pocket max). Some carriers will show the max in addition to the deductible while others will show the max including the deductible.
For example, if deductible is $3K and ADDITIONAL max is $3K, some plans will show it as $3K and $3K while others (such as Shield's new plans) will show the exact same plan as $3K and $6K. This can be confusing. You can always click on the plan name to bring up the summary brochure which will specify this relationship. We can help of course go through any plan comparisons.
5. With all the plans
that come up, there are
really a few suites of plans
that make any financial
sense.
Today, it basically boils down between Anthem's Smart Sense plans and Shield Secure Wise plans for mid-level plans. Otherwise it's more catastrophic coverage (point #6 below). We can help you compare and contrast these for your situation. Furthermore, you have a choice of generic only or Brand RX for the Smart Sense plans.
6. For lower priced,
catastrophic coverage,
Anthem Blue Cross Clear
Protection plans or Blue
Shield's HSA plans are
generally the best value on
the market with the latter
being more comprehensive
(it's what I personally
have). If price is the
absolute qualifier for you,
start here. Otherwise, look
at #5 above.
7. California HSA health
plans combine high
deductible PPO plans with
tax-favored checking
accounts.
If the tax benefit is sufficient (based on your tax bracket), Shield's HSA plans are generally priced better and they have an embedded deductible (in your favor).
8. Family members can be
on different plans.
You can mix and match plans within a family since each family member is individually priced these days. You may want richer coverage for children since adults cost more in most cases. You can mix and match benefits. Maybe catastrophic for adults and more comprehensive (office visits and RX coverage) for the children. Adults are more expensive than kids so this can work to your advantage.
9. There's a new rule
regarding effective dates
in that the earliest
available is 15 days
following online app
submittal (completed) or
hard copy being received.
Applying online for
California health insurance
is always the fastest
approach and you can access
the applications through the
quote or here. This gives
extra reason to start
earlier rather than later.
10. Payment is now required with the application (credit card or auto-deduction option) up front but we have a 10 day free look window in California which means we can cancel it the policy for any reason for a full refund with 10 days of their written offer. No application fee or fee for our service is required and the rates online are best available on the market.
So these are the big 10 that
cover everything from
picking the best plans to
getting the best rates.
There are many other
concerns and questions since
everyone has a different
situation but that's where
we come in with our 18 years
of experience. How can we
help?
Call us at 800-320-6269 with any questions. Our services are free to you as licensed health agents.