If your health coverage is set up through the Marketplace, that is HealthCare.gov,
then this info may pertain to your situation.
Well, that can be tricky! The best bet is to set up your payment on auto-draft so
that you never need worry about this problem. If you are old-fashioned and like
to send your paper check in via US Mail like they did in 1988, that is perfectly
okay. However, you may wish to monitor the “clearing” of that check. Yes, it just
might be possible the US Mail doesn’t make the distance. It is always your
responsibility to make sure that the health carrier, such as Blue Cross, has indeed
received your payment. Back to the “90-days thing?” Do I really have up to 90
days, the answer is Yes! BUT, if you are in arrears, that is you have made a
payment late and are now considered past due, then to “cure” or make whole the
“past due” amount owed to the carrier, (And this is super important!) The full
amount owed must be paid in full. That is, if you owe for 3 months “in arrears”
then you must pay all 3 months before reaching the 90-day deadline. You cannot
simply get the “oldest” amount owed paid up and think that you are within the
90-day window / deadline. If ever in doubt, call the carrier directly and have that
conversation, and you are always welcome to call Kevin, that’s me directly as well.
However, if you are close to the wire, I will always advise calling and speaking
with the carrier, or better yet making the payment if possible. Here’s the bad
news, if indeed you do go beyond the 90-day deadline, then you will likely have to
go without coverage until next year, and that could get to be a very serious
situation. If for any reason there has been a major shift in your household income
causing a short-term affordability issue, then we can update your HC.gov
application and see if we can reduce your overall monthly health coverage cost.
One thing remains certain, LIFE will change on you when you least expect it, and
of course everyone’s situation is different. The bottom line is, we are here to
help!
NOTE: the article above refers to only those that have their healthcare coverage
established via HealthCare.gov. OFF-Exchange plans are generally a 30-day period
before cancellation.
This is a new addition to the “What the Health?” newsletter that I will try to keep
brief and to the point. Hopefully, this may help shed a little light on a somewhat
complex health insurance world.
You’ve got Q’s, I hope I have your answer! Always feel free to call Kevin most
anytime. Text or call 985-778-0072.