903-335-1969 or 832-767-8059
The Insurance Barn is a small insurance agency that specializes in health insurance for small groups, individual, families and those eligible for Medicare living in Texas.
We do not try to be an expert in all types of insurance, neither are we in business just to earn commissions. Our goal is to answer your questions about insurance both before you submit an application and after as well. In our opinion, our job starts when buy an insurance plan and does not end with a sale.
GROUP HOLIDAY: From November 1 to December 15 one of the insurance companies, I contract with, has declared a Group Holiday. Small Business owners may enroll a group plan without employer contributions or employee participation required. Most of the ACA plans in Texas are either HMO or EPO “managed care” plans. During this holiday, the insurance company will waive its right to require employers to contribute to the premiums for employees as well as waive the right to require a percent of employees to participate in the group. In other words, small business owners, if they meet the other criteria for a group plan, can get true PPO coverage exclusively for themselves, if that is what they want to do, and not have to help anyone else with their premium.
However, there is one caveat that business owners need to keep in mind. Those who take advantage of this holiday, may put the IRS Advanced Premium Tax Credit (aka subsidy) at risk for any employees who elect to purchase policies through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace.
For a group quote send me the following information about the group.
- Company Name
- Description of what the company does
- Company zip code and county
- Owners names and dates of birth
- Full-time employees names and dates of birth
- Dependent’s names, dates of birth and what employee they are related to
You can email that information directly to me at tim@theinsurancebarn.com
MEDICARE:
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period lasts from October 15 to December 7, 2021. During this time, Texans many make adjustments to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare D plans, regardless of their health.
One area of confusion, during this time, applies to Original Medicare and traditional Medicare Supplements (aka Medigap). Those type of plans are NOT guaranteed issue during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. They are subject to medical underwriting unless you qualify for a Guaranteed Issue policy because of another Guaranteed Issue right.
ACA INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY PLANS:
This year is a little different that the recent past. The ACA Open Enrollment Period goes from November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022. During that period of time, Texans, who are so inclined, may enroll in either a EPO or HMO, depending on what is available in that part of the state, and get help from the IRS to pay the premium.
Just keep in mind that not everyone will qualify for IRS subsidies. There is a minimum and maximum income that is considered before an award is offered by the federal government.
NON ACA/OBAMACARE INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY PLANS:
For those Texans who do not want to use ACA/OBAMACARE plans for 2022, there are traditional medically underwritten plans available. These plans do not include all of the “Essential Benefits” as defined by the Senate. For example they do not include coverage for maternity, substance abuse or pediatric dental. As a result, they do NOT qualify for any IRS help with the premium. However, since they do not include all of the “Essential Benefits” they are often much less expensive.
To contact us, you may use either of the phone numbers above or the contact form below.
The Insurance Barn 