Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT TYPES OF INSURANCE DO YOU OFFER?
We offer health, life, dental, vision, disability, travel, and pet insurance.
WHO ARE YOUR TYPICAL CLIENTS?
Our brokerage is full service with product offerings for individuals and families, businesses, and seniors for Medicare. We work with large and small businesses in Oregon, SW Washington, and Idaho. Our clients typically choose us for fast, reliable, and personal attention to their business needs and goals. We achieve high results for our clients by incorporating technology where it speeds up processes and communication, and personal attention to work on moving your business forward.
WHEN CAN I GET INSURANCE?
You can enroll in a major medical-type health insurance plan during a specific enrollment period, and for a limited time following loss of a qualified insurance plan.
For Medicare members, the annual election period is October 15 through December 7, for coverage to start the following January 1st.
For Individual consumers, the open enrollment period is November 1 through December 15, for coverage to start the following January 1st.
The following events create a special election period, which typically lasts for 60 days following the event to submit an enrollment for coverage to begin the following month. These events include, but are not limited to:
Loss of employer-sponsored group insurance, as an employee or COBRA,
Loss of Medicaid
A change of residence to a new county, may result in new insurance plan options.
DO I GET A LOWER PRICE IF I BUY MY POLICY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE INSURANCE CARRIER VS. USING A BROKER?
This is a great question and the answer is no. Your premium cost for insurance is the same whether you use a broker or not. In most cases, a broker is paid a commission, or fee, by your insurance company to provide service. The fee is included in your premium whether you go direct or use a broker. For businesses, if you try going direct, the insurance company will assign you to a broker. We serve to be accessible to you, have useful answers when you need help and are committed to communities we serve. When you purchase on the internet from a web-based broker, you don’t know where your broker resides, and if they provide personal assistance. Whether you prefer a hands-on personalized approach, or electronic support, we customize our services to you.
IF YOUR SERVICES ARE FREE, HOW DO YOU GET PAID?
All of our consultation, follow-up research, enrollment and renewal service is completely free to you the consumer. We are paid by the insurance company to provide ongoing service and attention to your initial enrollment and policy renewals. Most companies pay brokers a monthly fee for each customer. The agents name is included in the enrollment application or requested by an agent of record letter.
WHAT DOCUMENT SHOULD I HAVE PREPARED BEFORE OUR MEETING?
Ideally, we hope to support a plan recommendation based on your provider list (doctors and hospitals), your health care needs and your budget. We will need to have your date of birth, zip code and county, and tobacco use. We will discuss your enrollment date, potential for a special enrollment period, and how different plans might be best suited for you. We can recommend a browsing tool to use at your leisure, or we research for you.
WHERE CAN I FIND MY ID CARD AND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MY BENEFITS?
Most insurers have all the tools online for their members to get a copy of the ID card, look up medical bills submitted for payment (claims), pay the insurance premium and get medical information. Your online portal will also often include annual cost trackers, cost estimators, service history, and discounts on gym memberships and activities. Additionally, you can contact us with any questions you may have about your policy.
WHAT IS THE HSA CONTRIBUTION LIMIT?
The below chart shows the IRS-permitted H S A Contributions from 2022 to 2023.
WHAT FACTORS PLAY INTO MY PREMIUM FOR A SMALL BUSINESS?
Businesses under 50 employees, in Oregon, are treated as a small business. This means that health insurance premiums are rated solely on the average age of your enrolled employee base and your headquarters zip code. There is no utilization aspect involved, so even if your employees don’t use their insurance policy, you can expect to see a premium increase at renewal if no employee changes occurred because the average age of the group increases by 1 year. Other factors that play into your premium include expected usage, doctor fees, medical equipment costs, prescription pricing, facility fees, admin costs, and more.
WHAT FACTORS PLAY INTO MY PREMIUM FOR A LARGE BUSINESS?
Businesses over 50 employees, in Oregon, are treated as a large business. Health insurance premiums are now rated based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, average age of enrolled employees, size of the company, service utilization, zip code, and more. There is more price and benefit flexibility in this arena as well. Other factors that play into your premium include expected usage, doctor fees, medical equipment costs, prescription pricing, facility fees, admin costs, and more.Q. do you work for the insurance companies? How do you get paid?