Open Enrollment for the ACA (Affordable Care Act) which most people just call “ObamaCare” starts November 1st through December 15th for January 1st, 2025, coverage effective date. The Open Enrollment continues through January 15th, 2025, but will default to a February 1st, 2025, coverage date. If you are living with no coverage or simply want to explore your options, you can call in November, in general, the sooner the better! The only way to establish new coverage is during this 75-day Open Enrollment period, IF you do not have a QLE-Qualifying Life Event. A QLE is generally a “loss of coverage” through a workplace, divorce, birth, moved, and others. So, if you call after Jan. 15th, 2025, you will need to wait until January of 2026. Every year this happens to someone, don’t let it be you!
New potential clients: Please call in November, let’s get some quotes, decide on a plan that’s right for you, and then I will handle the application process for you. I will make the entire process as painless and smooth as I can for you. Just call Kevin at 985-778-0072. Nearly everyone gets some level of subsidies, and in most cases, we can find a plan that is affordable enough for you. About 80% of my new clients are pleasantly surprised at just how affordable health coverage can be.
Existing Clients: No need to do anything, IF…
No need to do anything if you have no changes in your household number, no major income shift, and generally happy with your current plan. The “marketplace” will automatically auto-enroll you into the same (or very similar) plan at your new monthly premium starting in January. ALL existing ACA clients will be receiving a “renewal” link to self-serve and update any changes that you feel need to be made. Most info will be already on your application, you will just need to review and edit any changes you would like.
VERY IMPORATANT: if you choose a new “family type” of plan, then you may have to pay an “initial payment” to effectuate the coverage. Such as, moving from a POS plan to a Blue Connect, Signature, Precision (something different) then you will likely be required to make a new “initial payment.” Please just be aware of any notifications via Blue Cross or your health carrier.
Will my premium go up a lot?? The best way to know for sure, is to tap on your “renewal link” and get new “eligibility results” and enroll in the plan to see your final cost / monthly premium for 2025. Here’s some good news! Most premiums remain somewhat close, because as your cost of insurance rises, and it does every year, your subsidies (advanced tax credits) will also rise along with your cost increase, and therefore you should be paying close to the same as prior year. Of course, this only will be the case when no major changes occur.
Open Enrollment is an extremely busy time of year, so I do ask for your help in getting these renewals done smoothly for everyone! So, please look out for the “renewal” link that will be coming soon and do your best to update as needed. Always, if you are running into difficulty, then I am here to help! Just call Kevin Gourgues at 985-778-0072 and I will be happy to help!
Please be prepared when calling: Just have your income together when calling, this can be a challenging task for many, but please try to calculate in advance, all I need is your “annual household income.” Also, know who is in your household, this also can be challenging in blended families, so please if you can, know who’s claiming who as a dependent. Your “household structure” reflects who you claim as dependents on your tax return. If you are on a fairly or very expensive prescription, then be aware of your cost via www.GoodRx.com so that we can make the best choice of plan for your personal situation.
With nearly 300 clients in total, like I said earlier, this is a challenging season. Just to review, please be prepared as best possible, be near a computer (or your phone) as long as you have access to your email. Also, you can text me to simply “call when you are able” also is helpful. However, I cannot update your application info with a text notification. ANY changes to your application will absolutely require you to be on the phone with me, OR simply update on your own accord whenever you may wish with the “renewal” link provided.
Thank you all in advance for your understanding and your help in allowing me to help you in return!
Best regards,
Kevin Gourgues
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.