It’s no surprise that many Wisconsinites are concerned about the affordability of their health insurance.
According to a new survey, an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites believe healthcare isn’t affordable.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum conducted the survey. It revealed that a whopping 84% of people in the state believe healthcare and health insurance are too expensive. The remainder of the respondents shows as split evenly. It split between those who thought health insurance was “just right” and those who thought it was “too cheap.”
Health insurance affordability has long been a concern in Wisconsin. For many years, the state has had some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. In addition, Wisconsinites pay some of the highest deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket costs. This makes it difficult for those who are uninsured or underinsured to get the care they need.
The survey also found that concerns about healthcare coverage affordability had risen dramatically in the last year. In 2020, only 47% of respondents said they worried about health insurance affordability. Compare this to the 84% who responded in 2021.
This is a troubling trend, and it’s one that shows no signs of slowing down. With healthcare coverage costs continuing to rise, it seems that Wisconsinites will be living with this worry for some time to come.
Fortunately, there are options available to help make health insurance more affordable.
For example, the federal government offers subsidies to help offset the cost of insurance premiums. Additionally, Wisconsinites can apply for Medicaid if they earn too little to pay for coverage.
By taking advantage of these programs, Wisconsinites can get the insurance they need without breaking the bank. This is an important step in ensuring everyone in the state can access quality coverage.
It’s clear that health insurance affordability is a major concern for Wisconsinites. We should not be take this lightly. With the right resources and support, we can make sure everyone in the state has access to the coverage they need.
When applying for a premium tax credit, one of the most important factors determining eligibility is household size. Understanding your household size and how to correctly report it is essential for receiving the right amount of tax credits. Household size includes the primary applicant and any dependents on their tax return. It can also include individuals who may not be related to the primary applicant. In this blog, we’ll explain how to determine your household size. You’ll learn how to report your household size when applying for a premium tax credit.
Who is Eligible for Premium Tax Credits
Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals and families who buy health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace can be eligible for premium tax credits. These credits are based on income, cost of insurance, and family size. To qualify, individuals must meet certain income requirements. They can have no access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Lastly, they cannot be eligible for other programs like Medicare or Medicaid. The size of the premium tax credit depends on a household’s income and the cost of their insurance plan. People with lower incomes or higher insurance costs will receive larger premium tax credits. Premium tax credits can lower the amount an individual or family has to pay for health insurance each month. Moreover, the credits can be used to reduce the amount they owed on their taxes.
What are Premium Tax Credits?
Premium tax credits are a critical financial resource for many American families. These tax credits can be used to purchase health insurance and to help lower the cost of insurance premiums. Premium tax credits are available to people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. These credits are based on factors such as family size, income, and geographic area. Premium tax credits can significantly reduce the amount of money individuals and families have to spend on health insurance premiums each month. This makes health insurance accessible and more affordable. By helping to reduce the cost of health insurance, premium tax credits can help individuals and families access the health care they need.
What Kind of Marketplace Health Insurance Plan can Someone Buy with the Credit?
With a premium tax credit, individuals and families can purchase a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. These plans divide into four metal tiers: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Bronze plans have the lowest premiums and highest deductibles, while platinum plans have the highest premiums and lowest deductibles. Individuals and families can choose a plan that best suits their budget and health care needs. All plans offered through the Marketplace are comprehensive and must cover a range of health care services. These include preventive care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Additionally, plans provide specific essential health benefits and protect against high out-of-pocket costs.
More about Eligibility
To be eligible for a premium tax credit, an individual or family must meet certain criteria. Generally, individuals and families making between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Hence, they are not eligible for other types of health coverage. For instance, Medicare or Medicaid can receive a tax credit. Additionally, individuals and families must purchase a health plan through the Marketplace to be eligible for a premium tax credit. The amount of the premium tax credit is based on the estimated household income and family size. It is also based on the cost of the second-lowest silver-level health plan in the Marketplace. The premium tax credit helps to pay for the monthly premiums of a health plan purchased through the Marketplace.
What is the Federal Poverty Line for Premium Tax Credit
The federal poverty line determines eligibility for a premium tax credit. The poverty line is determined by the US Department of Health and Human Services. It is based on household size and income. Generally, individuals and families who make between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. They are not eligible for other types of health coverage, are eligible for a premium tax credit. For example, the 2023 federal poverty line for an individual is $14,580. Meanwhile, the poverty line for a family of four is $30,000. These amounts vary by family size and may change based on inflation and other factors.
Ultimately, understanding and correctly reporting your household size is essential for receiving the right amount of tax credits. Household size includes the primary applicant and any dependents listed on their tax return. It also includes individuals not related to the primary applicant. It is important to be aware of the factors that can affect your household size. These factors include as marriage, divorce, and adoption. Make sure you understand the different factors involved in determining your household size. This can help you receive the right amount of premium tax credit.
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If you have diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels and manage your condition to avoid complications. One way to stay on top of your diabetes care is by following a healthy eating plan. This means eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It’s also important to limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Another way to manage your diabetes is by being physically active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise. This can help lower your blood sugar levels and improve your overall health.
In addition to healthy eating and exercise, it’s important to take any medications prescribed by your doctor as directed. This may include insulin or other medications to help control your blood sugar levels. It’s also a good idea to check your blood sugar levels regularly, as recommended by your doctor.
It’s important to see your doctor regularly for check-ups and to discuss any changes in your condition. This can help your doctor identify any potential problems early on and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
It’s also important to monitor for any complications of diabetes, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, or eye problems. If you notice any changes in your vision, or if you have tingling or numbness in your feet, be sure to let your doctor know.
Managing your diabetes can be challenging, but it’s important for your overall health. By following a healthy eating plan, being physically active, taking your medications as directed, and regularly checking your blood sugar levels, you can help manage your condition and avoid complications. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to stay on top of your diabetes care.
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With Open Enrollment upon us, many individuals and families access the health insurance market seeking the right coverage.
If you are a small business owner, you may be wondering what to expect and what to prepare for as far as supplying your employees with health insurance. You may also be wondering what qualifications you need to meet and what you need to expect as an employer providing benefits for your employees.
Here is what small businesses should know about health coverage for employees.
1) How big is your small business?
Is your company an “ALE”? An “ALE” is an Applicable Large Employer with over 50 full-time employees. If your company is an ALE, you will need to start offering insurance to your employees. If your business does not qualify yet as an ALE, you do not need to offer insurance. However, such a benefit could be an incentive to future employees, and help grow your company.
2) Full-time or part-time employees?
If you have 50 employees or more and they are full-time employees or full-time equivalents, your company would be an Applicable Large Employer. Moreover, at least 50 of your employees need to be full-time equivalents to make you an ALE. If you have 25 full-time equivalent employees and 25 part-time employees, you need not offer insurance benefits.
3) Advantages of offering health insurance as a small business owner
Offering health insurance to your employees offers quite a few advantages that you might have not thought of yet:
Providing health insurance could be an incentive for employees to stay at your company.
Health insurance for employees could give your company a competitive edge and give you the opportunity to stand out among other employers. Adding health insurance as part of a benefits package can help you as a business owner recruit and retain great employees!
4) What about the “Family Glitch”?
Recently, the “Family Glitch” resolved in favor of families seeking health coverage sponsored by employers. In past years, many families fell through the cracks of the healthcare system. Only the employee could afford insurance sponsored by the employer. But the employee’s family members could not afford that coverage. This year, the Biden administration resolved this “Glitch” in the 2013 ACA law. Now, families can access full coverage with employer-sponsored health insurance or through the individual market if dependent coverage is deemed unaffordable.
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Running a small business is hard, and navigating getting your employees health insurance can really be a hassle. Especially if you don’t have experience or a trusted advisor. With that in mind, we’ve crunched the numbers. We’ve come up with the best group health insurance plans for small businesses.
We want to make sure you have as many health insurance options as you can get. You should know the plan options and the health benefits available to you. We also want you to know how to provide your small business’s number of employees health care that will be good for them.
#1. UnitedHealth care
Why Get It: Coverage in all 50 states, largest health insurance provider in USA
When it comes to the best small business health insurance plans, everyone trusts UnitedHealth care. That’s why they’re the largest health insurance provider in the United States. They have coverage options in all 50 states. This makes them even more attractive if you’re a business that operates remotely but wants to have a single health insurance plan.
They have a national network of doctors and hospitals, making them one of the most accessible insurance organizations. On top of this, UnitedHealth care is moving hard into the digital realm with consultations over computers and mobile. Hence, this lowers costs for the insured.
#2. Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Why Get It: Coverage specialized to your area through local health insurance agencies
Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an interesting one, because they work through 36 different local health insurance companies. This makes them more tied to specific geographic areas and leads to a more targeted view of business. Like United HealthCare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield are available in all 50 states, and it is the most popular plan on this list: one in three Americans is covered under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Association.
#3. Humana
Why Get It: Specializes in small business healthcare
Humana is a very large health insurance company, and is on this list because they make a concerted effort to offer health insurance to small businesses. Some of the perks of Humana Small Business include in-network preventive care, 100% covered by all Humana group plans. They also offer telehealth visits, and the Humana Pharmacy
#4. Aetna
Why Get It: High-deductible plans with tax advantaged savings options
Aetna is a long-standing pillar in the health insurance community, and they offer something very attractive to small business owners: high-deductible health insurance plans with tax-advantaged savings options.
Known especially for their good customer service–something that’s hard to find in an insurance company–their large provider network of more than 700,000 providers gives you access to every kind of care you need.
The downside is that Aetna is not available in every state, and you usually can’t get a quote without an Aetna sales rep walking you through the options.
Choose the best Small Business Health Insurance for you
If none of the above are the right fit, no worries, we have other options for small business health insurance. Now is the time to get to know plan options for your employees.
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Medicare just made a big announcement regarding their Part B Premiums for 2023. These standard premiums will drop by 3% next year. The monthly premium for Medicare Part B will actually reduce by $5.20 by 2023. This will also lower the deductible for Part B.
What do lowered premiums mean for you?
Thanks to Medicare Part B’s projected spending on Aduhelm, a medication to battle the onslaught of Alzheimer’s, the premium for this program dropped more than expected. Medicare spent less than expected on Aduhelm, meaning they could spend more on Part B. This in turn led to a reduction in 2023 Medicare premiums!
Medicare Part A, on the other hand, raised its deductible per benefit period, which starts upon admission to a hospital, to $1,600 in 2023, from its current amount of $1,556. This amount applies to the first 60 days of inpatient hospital care.
If you are considering Medicare Part B with the lower premiums coming in 2023, now is the time to act as open enrollment season draws near.
Other changes to make note of
After the 61st day and through the 90th day, however, coinsurance will cost at least $400 a day. The price of coinsurance will go up by $11 from the current amount this year.
Moreover, IRMAAs are effective in January as well, for individuals with a gross income of over $97,000. Those filing jointly must expect an extra monthly charge if their net income is over $194,000 instead of 2022’s ceiling of $182,000.
These changes are announced just as open enrollment season approaches, so definitely consider these lowered premiums as you research health insurance plans.
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Today, Bright Health Group announced that it will no longer offer Individual and Family Plans through Bright HealthCare, or Medicare Advantage except for in Florida and California, starting in 2023.
What’s going on?
Bright Health Group will exclusively focus on making healthcare accessible to the elderly and lower-income populations. Bright Health hopes to accomplish this using its Fully Aligned Care Model in select states such as Florida, Texas, and California.
“We have demonstrated the power of the Fully Aligned Care Model in serving aging and underserved populations […]” Mike Mikan says, President and CEO of Bright Health Group. “The changes announced today give Bright Health a strong and stable platform for profitable growth at much lower risk. This is one more strategic step to building a differentiated and profitable business at scale.”
Bright Healthcare does intend to serve members affected by this change. They will meet any obligations for the rest of 2022’s plan period. The company promises to help those affected find a new health insurance plan during open enrollment periods.
After 2022, Bright HealthCare will no longer offer Individual and Family healthcare plans in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.
Wait! Don’t panic.
If you are a consumer looking for a new health insurance plan during 2023 open enrollment, look no further than Healthedly. We are here to help.
Whether you are seeking a new insurance plan or you are switching from Bright Health to another provider, we’ve got your back.
Agility currently contracts ACA (individual and family) agents to offer plans with Aetna CVS Health, Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CareSource, CHRISTUS Health, Cigna Health, Friday Health Plans, Medica, Molina Healthcare, Oscar Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
So, you have no shortage of choices when it comes to health insurance. Our agents will guide you to the right provider that is best for YOU. Get a free quote today, or call 855-522-2201.
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Tired? Trying to count sheep for 5 more minutes to get to sleep? If you’re waking up tired, it could be because you have a medical problem or a stress-related one. One of the best things you can do is get a good night’s rest. It’s true that most people feel tired when they wake up in the morning, but if you find yourself always waking up tired with no energy or motivation to start your day, there could be something wrong with how much sleep you’re getting.
Sleep Environment
Bedtime hygiene is important. Your resting environment needs to promote a solid sleeping routine. A comfortable welcoming bed with comfortable sheets that invite you to rest. Ensuring a cool regulated sleeping body temperature that allows you to slumber through the night. Proper shut-eye depends on limited screen time. Blue light exposure before bedtime can impact your rest. Save energy and turn off the lights, tv, and put down the phone before going to bed for better sleep.
Stressful Thoughts
When you’re stressed out and worried about something, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can make it hard for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. If this happens often enough, your body will produce more cortisol when it should be winding down at night—and that means it’s harder for your body to get restful sleep. When you do finally doze off, stress can even keep you from entering deep sleep stages at all: instead of getting into slow-wave sleep (the kind that makes us feel refreshed), our brains remain in REM or light sleep throughout the night—which leaves us feeling groggy when we wake up in the morning. [1]
Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
Stimulation is great in the morning but not so much in the evening. Eating and drinking the wrong foods and drinks before bedtime can cause a staggering effect on your sleeping habits. Cut the caffeine or alcohol especially in the afternoon at the very least 4 hours before bed to not impose on your sleeping cycle.
You maybe dealing with a health condition
When dealing with sleep fatigue, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what might be causing the problem. The most common medical conditions that cause fatigue are [2]:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fibromyalgia (FM)
Insomnia
Sleep Apnea
Some of these conditions need medical testing required for diagnosis by a licensed professional.
Not getting enough sleep can cause a lot of health problems so make sure you get plenty of rest every night. Small symptoms can lead to bigger issues. Having health insurance and going to the doctor can prevent a future serious health disease. If you are still having sleeping problems after making adjustments. It may be time to visit a specialist.
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The most accepted health insurance in Florida is Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue) and Cigna. These insurance carriers are accepted almost everywhere in the Sunshine State. This makes them some of the best health insurance plans in Florida.
That said, Aetna is currently ranked as the best medical coverage in the Sunshine State. That is, assuming that it is accepted by your doctors. It is one of the most affordable insurance plans, both for individuals and companies.
Aetna has Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans that can be as little as a few hundred dollars per month. Of course, this depends on your age. They also have special student coverage, with plans covering university students.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield the Same as Florida Blue?
Florida Blue is a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is a nationwide provider. Florida Blue offers PPO plans (as opposed to HMO plans). This gives participants significantly more flexibility in choosing their doctors and providers.
PPO plans are especially good if you have long-standing or chronic conditions. You might have come to rely on a certain set of medical providers who know your personal challenges intimately. Being able to rely on the same doctors even if you take a job with a new company is a major benefit.
Florida Blue is also considered one of the best coverages for people who are on a fixed income.
How Much Is Health Insurance in the Sunshine State per Month?
When it comes to the best health insurance companies in the Sunshine State, as far as monthly premiums and affordable health insurance, things are a little different. Checking the Florida Health Insurance Marketplace can give you good ideas of what is available for short-term plans. Also check this marketplace for individual and family plans, and prescription drugs.
For health insurance quotes, the average cost of health insurance for a 40-year-old is $554 per month. It goes on to say that “over all age groups, average cost of health insurance is $203 per person for a major medical individual health insurance plan.”
The same study states that the best price for healthcare plans in the Sunshine State is through Blue Cross Blue Shield or Cigna. This holds in virtually every county in the state.
They rate the cheapest health insurance coverage in the Sunshine State as being Florida Blue or Cigna. The best for fixed-incomes is Florida Blue. If you want to get the best health insurance in Florida overall, Aetna ranks as superior. However, Cigna has the best prescription coverage plan.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic utterly transformed the healthcare landscape worldwide. But as a U.S. citizen, you will enjoy the new conveniences afforded by these changes.
Before the Pandemic, telehealth had just begun to break ground, with the rise of popular apps such as BetterHealth making waves on social media.
But the world screeched to a halt when COVID-19 hit, including many health professionals usually available in person. Testing for COVID, treatment for the virus, and hospital emergency-only procedures took precedence over less urgent health concerns.
As the global shutdown continued, the world witnessed a virtual takeover. Everyone found themselves forced to go completely online and remote.
The change also affected healthcare professionals and their patients.
Telehealth began to boom, proving itself a Pandemic-proof industry.
Teladoc is one such leading corporation that skyrocketed exponentially. It especially saw success when the globe transitioned into the virtual space on a social and professional level. Many different types of business models (for example, the automobile industry) saw a dramatic decrease in sales. Meanwhile, companies like Teladoc that offer virtual services in a widely used industry enjoyed a massive spike in sales and new customers.
This trend shows the future of U.S. healthcare and how it will slide from in-person clinics and hospital offices to the home and digital space.
Gone are the days when doctors and medical practitioners would offer in-person-only services. The option to meet with your doctor in person or on a telehealth app is now a widespread phenomenon. More and more healthcare businesses are noting the trend towards offering out-of-office medical services, which means that you will have a broad range of options, regardless of what healthcare company you use.
How will these changes in the U.S. healthcare market affect you and your loved ones? How will it affect your business?
Selecting a healthcare provider now can be a bit more overwhelming since more and more companies are offering both virtual and face-to-face services. Finding out which insurance provider fits your financial needs the best is the first step to setting yourself up for future success in a post-pandemic world.
For information about finding the right healthcare plan for you and your family, call 855-522-2201 or Click Here!
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