Open enrollment can be spooky

Don’t be afraid! You don’t have to navigate insurance alone this year.

Schedule your appointment today so we can help you with your enrollment.

Let’s Set a Date

EVERYONE needs to schedule a phone call appointment to re-enroll for 2018 coverage.

The Only Exceptions:

• Medicare Supplement plan holders
• Individuals with grandfathered plans
• If you have coverage through your employer

THE countdown HAS BEGUN!

We aren’t just counting down to Halloween! Our office is gearing up for the 2018 Open Enrollment season and we need you to get ready as well!

Choosing the wrong insurance plan can haunt you. Let us help you choose the best policy for your needs.

WHAT’S changing in 2018:

Humana is discontinuing their individual plans for 2018. If you are currently enrolled with Humana we will help you choose a new insurance company during our phone call.

BE prepared! (MUAHAHA)

Here are a few things we will need you to have prepared for our phone call:

• 2018 estimated household income. Make sure to include every person that is on your tax return.
• Who will you claim on your 2018 tax return?
• Married? As a reminder, you must file a joint tax return with your spouse.
• Does your employer or spouse’s employer offer group health insurance? If so, what is the cost for the employee only coverage?
• Does your income fall between 138% and 400% of the FPL according to your tax size household?

D O N ‘ T ^. G E T ^. S P O O K E D !

Our time frame is super short this year, so we are setting appointments NOW. We have between NOVEMBER 1st and DECEMBER 15th to make changes that will go into effect JANUARY 1st.

Please click the link below or call our offices to schedule your appointment TODAY!

Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes so we’ve got to talk fast and make a decision quick. Being prepared is a MUST this year!

We are happy and honored that you continue to choose us as your insurance broker. We strive to give you the best possible service before, during and after the enrollment. We love our clients and hope to make this enrollment season super easy for you.

Please show us plenty of grace and mercy as we help you, our valued clients, with this nearly impossible task of re-enrolling over 1,000 clients in 6 weeks. Have you done the math? Yeah… that’s 45 clients per day including Saturday and Sunday. Oh my…

We Love Our Clients!

SCHEDULE NOW

 

Trish & Tori Freeman, The Insurance Lady

(225) 622-6554

trish@insurancelady.com

tori@insurancelady.com

Reasons to use an independent agent

1. Knowledge

When you require legal advice, you contact a lawyer, and when a health issue arises, you visit your doctor, so when you need assistance with your insurance coverage, you need to use an industry expert. In addition to having many years of experience in the industry, independent insurance agents work with many different insurance companies and are knowledgeable about their individual strengths. Although one insurance company may provide unmatched claims service, another may offer more competitive rates. Based on what is most important to you, an independent agent will find the best match for you.

• We write 1,000’s of policies each year and know the quickest way to get in and out of the system.
• We know the insurance lingo – we are the experts.
• We know which plans are best within each company.
• We do the research and leg work for you.  We study the plans each year BEFORE talking to you.
• We know the Louisiana insurance market.  The MarketPlace does not, nor are they licensed insurance agents.

2. Customer Service

If you have coverage questions or worse, need help with a claim, would you rather reach an automated recording or an actual person when you call? More and more companies have switched to automated systems, often making it difficult and time consuming to reach the right person. However, at many independent insurance agencies, an actual person will still greet and assist you.

• We make sure you get the benefits you need.
• We want a long-term relationship with you.
• We are there to assist you all year long.  You have one point of contact and one person to help you solve any issues that may arise.

3. Personal Shoppers

Working with an independent insurance agent can be compared to having a personal shopper. Similar to the way in which a real estate agent sorts through properties to help you find your ideal home, an insurance agent reviews many different insurance companies’ rates and coverage options to help you secure policies that best suit your needs. You may believe that this comes at an additional cost to you, but independent agents do not add extra charges to insurance companies’ rates. So you can choose to work with an independent agent, who will handle your coverage needs, assist you with claims and answer any questions you may have, from billing issues to coverage concerns, always advocating on your behalf, at no additional cost to you.

4. Understanding 

Independent insurance agents understand that insurance can seem complicated and confusing, especially when you don’t deal with it on a daily basis. For this reason, your insurance agent will work to ensure that you fully understand your coverage, from what is and is not included, to the deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. After you purchase your policies, an independent agent’s work isn’t over – instead, we are available year-round to help answer your questions, update your policy and make coverage recommendations.

5. Reputation

Reputation plays a crucial role in finding a company you can trust, and many independent agencies take pride in the years, if not decades, they have spent serving their local communities. Not only can a company’s many years of service speak to its well-established reputation in the community, but it can also help you feel confident about its financial stability. Although there are many different ways to obtain insurance, would you rather obtain a quote from a startup Internet-based insurance provider that advertised on television, or call a local agent who your friends, co-workers and neighbors could recommend?

6. Protection & Peace of Mind

Above all, working with an independent insurance agent will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that when you save money on your insurance, it won’t come at the expense of comprehensive coverage. When it comes to protecting your home, family, business and other invaluable assets, relying on an independent agent you can trust is a great place to start.

New Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms

We have attached the NEW Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms. You MUST use this form for all employees with effective dates for 7/1/17 and after.

2017 GROUP EE App – Updated 7-17

Blue Cross Members Get Discounts on Crescent City Classic 10k

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and HMO Louisiana members can use the code BCBSmember to get $5 off the registration fee for the 39^th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10k.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10k road race is held in New Orleans on the Saturday before Easter Sunday each year.  The Classic is locally produced by the Crescent City Fitness Foundation, and is a great way to get in shape while having fun!  Both runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to participate in the race.

The 10-kilometer course (6.2 miles) begins in Downtown New Orleans in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, runs participants through the French Quarter, and then all the way up beautiful Esplanade Avenue to New Orleans City Park.

Saturday, April 15, 2017 – 8:00 am
BCBS Member discount: BCBSmember for $5 off

To register and for more information, visit http://www.ccc10k.com/crescent-city-classic-10k.

 

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Free Identity Protection with AllClear ID

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has joined all Blue plans around the country in offering free identity protection services to their customers.

The services, which are available through a partnership with AllClear ID, a national vendor specializing in identity protection, include:

• Credit monitoring (this is not the same thing as credit score reporting)
• Fraud protection
• Identity repair, you are the victim of identity theft

While these services are available to Blue Cross customers, the protection extends beyond health information and claims data. If your credit or identity is at risk because of a store’s data breach or because your credit card is stolen, these services will protect you.

Do you want to get identity protection services in 2017 with AllClear ID? Here’s how:

• If you enrolled with AllClear ID during 2016, you don’t need to re-enroll, you just need to renew. AllClear ID will check in with you to make sure you still want the services. If you do, you will be renewed.
• If you have never signed up for these services but want them in 2017, you need to opt in. You will not get these services automatically. There are two ways you can do this:
  • Going to the website enroll.allclearid.com and entering the code “BCBSLA17;” or
  • Calling 1-855-229-0079 and asking to enroll for identity protection services, using the code “BCBSLA17“

You only need to enroll one time and renew each year to be covered for free as long as you remain an eligible Blue Cross customer.

If you want more information about these services, visit bcbsla.com/allclear

Limited Time Offer: Gym Membership Enrollment Fee Waived with Blue365 Healthways Fitness Your Way

Through Feb. 28, 2017, Blue365 members can save money while getting fit!  Healthways Fitness Your Way has waived the $25 enrollment fee to 9,500+ gyms nationwide for the month of February only.  With the enrollment fee waived, gym membership is only $25 per month (plus local tax), with a 3-month commitment.

Healthways Fitness Your Way through Blue365 is one of the most flexible, affordable and accessible ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle and remain committed to it.  It’s easy to enroll:

1. Go to Blue365Deals.com/BCBSLA and click Log In or Register.
2. Under Fitness select Healthways Fitness Your Way and click on Redeem Now.
3. You’ll be directed to the Healthways Fitness Your Way landing page where you can:

• Find fitness locations by zip code
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions before enrolling
• Enter the code FebFit17 at checkout to waive your enrollment fee

For more information on the program click here.

Online doctor visits available 24/7

BlueCare is now available 24/7 to let customers have online doctor visits using a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or other internet-accessible device with a camera.

Telemedicine services are a benefit for all fully insured group and individual customers. The services are offered at the same cost share as a primary care physician-level office visit.

BlueCare and telemedicine offer customers expanded access to care outside of their doctors’ usual office hours, with greater convenience and at a lower cost than the emergency room. Since Blue Cross recently raised co-pays on ER visits up to $350 (previously from $150-$200, depending on plan type) across all non-grandfathered fully insured plans in 2017, BlueCare can be a good way for customers to get treatment for minor health issues and keep their out-of-pocket costs in line.

Some common conditions treated by telemedicine include cough or cold, bladder infections, mild stomach viruses, pink eye, rashes, allergies or sinusitis. Telemedicine can also be used for follow-up care and, in some cases, medication refills.

How do customers use BlueCare?
BlueCare is online at www.BlueCareLA.com. To have an online visit, customers need to use a laptop, desktop computer or other internet-accessible device with audiovisual capability so they can see and speak with the doctor. They can find out if a device is going to work for BlueCare before a visit by using the “Test Computer” link in the top-right corner of www.BlueCareLA.com.

• To use BlueCare from a smartphone or tablet, customers can download the BlueCare app for Android and Apple devices by searching for “BlueCare” (one word) in the Apple App Store or Google Play.  Statistically, most users prefer accessing telemedicine services via mobile app.
• On the first visit, customers will create a member account with a log-in ID and password that they will use each time they use BlueCare.  They can create the account using the web-based site (www.BlueCareLA.com) or the BlueCare mobile app, and use the same log-in information for both.
• Once logged into the BlueCare site, customers will see a list of doctors available to treat them and can choose the one they want to see. Each BlueCare doctor has a short biography describing his/her experience, languages spoken, etc., which is posted on the site. All physicians are U.S. trained and board certified.

How much does BlueCare cost? 
All Blue Cross customers can use BlueCare by paying a flat fee, typically $39, at the time of the visit. Depending on the telemedicine benefits that are included on their plans (typically the same cost share as a PCP office visit), customers may receive a refund from Blue Cross once the claim has processed.

Who do I call if I am having trouble with BlueCare?
If you are having a technical problem with the www.BlueCareLA.com website or the BlueCare app for Android and Apple devices, call 1-855-269-3554 or email BlueCareSupport@americanwell.com.
 
How can I learn more about BlueCare?

• BlueCare FAQs

Skimping on your Health Plan may be a poor financial decision

According to chief financial analyst, Greg McBride,

“It doesn’t make sense to go without health insurance. A healthy 30-year-old could break their leg tomorrow.”

Under Affordable Care Act guidelines, Americans without health insurance may face a tax penalty.

The flip side is, you may also qualify for subsidies that bring down the price of a health plan.

NEW Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms

All Blue Cross Groups MUST use the NEW Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms for all employees with effective dates for 1/1/17 and after.

To view or download the form visit the link: 2017 Employee Enrollment Change Form

2017 Individual Open Enrollment

LET’S GET READY

Schedule your appointment today

EVERYONE needs to schedule a phone call appointment to re-enroll for 2017 coverage.

The only exceptions are:

• Medicare Supplement plan holders and
• Individuals with grandfathered plans

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS TOMORROW! Our office is gearing up for the 2017 Open Enrollment season and we need you to get ready as well! Here are a few changes that you will see in 2017:

• Blue Cross will move to a closed RX formulary, meaning some prescriptions simply will not be covered. On RX copay plans, members will have a generic RX copay but pay a coinsurance for all covered brand and non-preferred brand RX.
• United Healthcare will not be an option for 2017. If you are currently enrolled with United Healthcare we will help you choose a new insurance company during our phone call.
• Humana is discontinuing some of their individual plans for 2017. Watch for a letter about a specific plan design.
• Vantage will remain an option on and off the Marketplace.

BE PREPARED

Here are a few things we will need you to have prepared for our phone call:

• 2017 estimated household income. Make sure to include every person that is on your tax return.
• Who will you claim on your 2017 tax return?
• Married? As a reminder, you must file a joint tax return with your spouse.
• Does your employer or your spouse’s employer offer group health insurance? If so, what is the cost for the employee only coverage?
• Does your income fall between 138% and 400% of the FPL according to your tax size household?

Let’s Set a Date!

Our time frame is super short this year, so we are setting appointments NOW. We have between November 1st and December 14th to make changes that will go into effect January 1st.

So… let’s set a date.

Please click the link above or call our office to schedule your appointment TODAY!

(225) 622-6554

Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes so we’ve got to talk fast and make a decision quick. Being prepared is a MUST this year!

We are happy and honored that you continue to choose us as your insurance broker. We strive to give you the best possible service before, during and after the enrollment. We love our clients and hope to make this enrollment season super easy for you.

Please show us plenty of grace and mercy as we help you, our valued clients, with this nearly impossible task of re-enrolling over 1,000 clients in 6 weeks. Have you done the math? Yeah… That’s 45 clients per day including Saturday and Sunday. Oh my…

Team #NoDaysOff #WeLoveOurClients

Trish Freeman, The Insurance Lady

(225) 622-6554

trish@insurancelady.com