Have you ever wondered how one of your Covered California accounts got changed when you know that neither you nor the client touched application? Covered California accounts are being mysteriously changed without the applicants knowledge or consent. If you check the Transaction History of the account you might find that this mysterious user known as […]
Medi-Cal basics for Certified Agents
Throughout the past year of enrolling individuals and families into the Covered California health plans, Certified Insurance Agents were in the dark when it came to Medi-Cal. The Department of Health Care Services held a webinar on July 31st to review of the essential basics of the Medi-Cal program. Even if you only review the […]
Review of IRS draft ACA tax credit reconciliation forms
With the release of the draft IRS forms for reporting advance premium tax credits and reconciliation with the household MAGI, health insurance agents might be called upon to know another part of the ACA, the dreaded tax forms. The variety of reporting statements individuals and families may receive from employers and the exchanges will require […]
August enrollments delayed through Covered California
For Certified Insurance Agents enrolling clients into health plans through Covered California for an August 1, 2014 effective date, many have been asking why it is taking so long for the enrollment data to be transmitted to the carrier. Customer Service Representatives at Anthem Blue Cross and Covered California acknowledged on July 28th that enrollment […]
IRS mid-year ACA tax credit check up
The IRS issued a mid-year ACA tax credit check up advisory to remind individuals and families to report household changes if they are receiving Advance Premium Tax Credits to lower their monthly health insurance premiums. Most notable is the admonition that if the household income exceeds 400% of the federal poverty lineas reported on their […]
Is a free health agent listing enough to counter Navigator marketing?
With Covered California moving forward on the Navigator grant program consumers will have to contend with even more and potentially confusing marketing for ACA health plans this fall during open enrollment. The new Navigator program will allow non-profit organizations that receive grant money to create radio and TV commercials along with opening store fronts to […]
Covered California continues to keep agents in the dark
The Covered California CalHEERS online enrollment system continues to be upgraded to fix problems and accommodate household changes, but Certified Insurance Agents (CIA) are rarely notified of the updates. As CIAs helped enroll 40% of Covered California’s households and continue to update their clients changes through the system, agents deserve to be provided regular updates […]
Covered California approves Navigators soliciting health insurance
The Covered California Board approved a resolution at their June 2014 meeting to allocate $16.9 million toward establishing a Navigator program. Under the new Navigator program organizations awarded grants will be encouraged to open store fronts, theyll receive bonuses for exceeding enrollment projections and theyll be allowed to advertise their services. Short of requiring an […]
Confusing CoveredCA LMS letter to agents
It what seems to be a core principle of Covered California, they have sent out another confusing letter, this time regarding the Learning Management System and agent certification. In a relationship where agents take nothing for granted when it comesto Covered California, hundreds of certified agent called the SHOP line to inquire if they were […]
Are California SHOP enrollment projections over estimated?
Covered California staff is forecasting that SHOP enrollment will double by the end of 2014 and double again during open enrollment for 2015. A list of assumptions was given for the stellar forecast enrollment during the May 2014 Board meeting where the topic was revenue projections from fees charged on individual small group members. Based […]