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What Is A Good Health Insurance Broker?
The best brokers will be able to offer customers the following benefits:
1: Free services: A health insurance broker should not charge anything extra to get clients health insurance.
2: An in-depth knowledge of insurance in your state
3: Licensed in your state
4: The BEST brokers will deal with insurance companies and claims on your behalf. Not all brokers do this. Luckily Apollo Health Insurance is a broker that will literally fight for your health needs. Apollo saves clients on average 65% on their medical bills each year.
What does Free – no cost service really mean?
Well… as a premier insurance broker, Apollo will not only help you find the best insurance for your budget and needs, but we deal directly with the insurance companies so you don’t have to.
We’ll also keep in touch as insurance changes so we can always help you get a better deal and save money.
And that’s just the start.
If you want a health insurance pro you can rely on and not spend anything to get it, Apollo is here to fight for you.
Health Insurance Broker Services
Individual Health Insurance
Insurance can be complicated. Between the dozens of providers, changing laws, different kinds of insurance, and so many options, it's a challenge to navigate and find the right plan for your budget and needs.
That's where an insurance broker can help. Apollo are the experts in health insurance and will fight for you. There's no extra cost to you and you'll have an insurance person to always turn to.
Group Health Insurance
Do you want to provide an affordable insurance option for your employees?
Or maybe your employees are already insured but the cost has increases. It may be time to shop for a better group plan. Having health insurance through an employer is an additional way to acquire and keep talent. Connect with Apollo to find the best group insurance plan for you and your employees.
Life Insurance
Let's be honest, we often don't think about the extremes of what could happen in life. Life insurance is the least purchased kind of insurance even though plans start at only a few dollars a month. If you want to make sure your family is taken care of, this simple insurance can have a huge effect in case of death.
Dental Insurance
A good smile can be worth a million dollars.
Everyone can benefit to good oral care and the cost of emergencies can be quite large. Luckily there are flexible dental insurance plans for everyone. Contact us to get a dental plan that works for your budget.
Vision Insurance
Our eyes are one of our most precious organs, and we only have two, so proactive protection and care is key to maintaining these vital organs! Particularly for children, they don’t yet know how beautiful the world is through perfect vision, it is our responsibility as parents and caretakers to be in-tune with the world through their eyes. On the flip side, as we age our eyes do as well, and thus the frequency for vision checks increases exponentially.
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Learn about everything health insurance from the ultimate guide
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Health Insurance Coverage Across America
States Apollo Is Licensed In
The Ultimate Guide To Health Insurance
How Health Insurance Brokers Work For You
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Section 1: Three Buckets Of Health Insurance
Government Subsidized Marketplace (ACA)
HealthCare.gov is a website ran by the United States government to assist consumers purchase a health insurance plan; oftentimes you will hear it referred to as the “health insurance marketplace.”
You are able to compare plans and select the plan that best fits your health and financial needs.
Consumers who used this site paid, on average, 38 percent less per month than those whose plans were automatically renewed.
Plans purchased on HealthCare.gov are comprehensive and are guaranteed to cover the essentials.
Short Term Plans
Short term plans are meant to be an option when you are: in-between health insurance plans, outside of open enrollment times, or solely want coverage in case of a catastrophe. These plans are typically the most affordable each month but also come with the least comprehensive benefit package.
Health Sharing Ministries
In a health care sharing ministry (HCSM), members follow a common set of religious or ethical beliefs and contribute — typically monthly — a payment, or share, to help cover the qualifying medical expenses of other members. HCSM’s are consistently growing in popularity as other insurance carriers continue to raise monthly premiums.
Section 2: Health Insurance Marketplace
Every state in the US has a health insurance marketplace. Some states run their own marketplace while others operate through the federal government. The plans on the marketplace are provided by private companies. Here are 10 essential health benefits that marketplace carriers are required to cover:
Ambulatory Patient Services
(outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
Emergency Services
Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
Pregnancy and Newborn Care (both before and after birth)
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services (including but not limited to, behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy)
Prescription Drugs
Ambulatory Patient Services
(outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
Laboratory Services
Preventive and Wellness Services and Chronic Disease Management
Pediatric Services, Including Oral and Vision Care (this doesn’t include adult dental or vision coverage)
What are ACA Plans?
The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, is a landmark health care program that has led to over 31 million Americans purchasing health insurance. Naturally, the health insurance plans offered by such a large bill can get complicated.
If you are thinking about enrolling in an ACA insurance plan, then it is important to know about the way those plans are differentiated. ACA plans are separated into three “metal levels”: bronze, silver, and gold. Different plan levels have different costs, risks, and benefits associated with them.
Despite their differences, there are several things that don’t change between metal levels. The following aspects are not affected by the metal level of an ACA-compliant health insurance plan:
- The quality of care received
- Access to Essential Health Benefits (Though the cost associated with them may vary)
- What hospitals, doctors, etc. are within the coverage area (In-Network vs. Out-of-Network)
- The cost of guaranteed preventive care services (see a full list of preventive care services).
- Any other benefits not associated with cost.
Differences Between the ACA Metal Levels
Bronze
Bronze plans are the cheapest health insurance plans on the Marketplace. These plans tend to have high deductibles, high max-out-of-pockets, and expensive copays (or, more often, no copays) before the deductible is reached.
Average bronze plan premiums are roughly $100/month cheaper than average silver premiums. Subsidies can take that even lower; in the U.S. right now, 2 out of every 5 uninsured people qualify for a $0 bronze health insurance plan after subsidies are applied.
Silver
Silver plans are a middle ground between bronze and gold plans. They are more expensive per month than bronze plans; however, when you put them to use, you will notice their deductibles and copays are lower. They are not as low as gold plans, of course, but lower than bronze: a nice middle ground.
There is one aspect of silver plans that makes them more popular than they might otherwise be: Cost Sharing Reductions.
Cost Sharing Reduction
Cost Sharing Reductions are a type of discount that people at or under a certain income threshold can apply towards their ACA insurance costs. A Cost Sharing Reduction can potentially lower the costs of your deductible, coinsurance, maximum out of pocket, and copays.
To qualify for cost sharing reductions, your household income must be within 250% of the Federal Poverty Level and you must have a silver level Marketplace plan.
Gold
Gold plans are the cream of the crop in regards to ACA plans. They have the highest monthly premiums of any ACA plans; on average, they cost $200/month more than comparable bronze plans. For that extra money, though, they provide much more comprehensive coverage.
Most gold plans have much lower deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and max-out-of-pocket costs than other Marketplace plans. Some of these plans may even have $0 deductibles or copay/coinsurance before you reach your deductible.
The premiums on gold plans are going to be high for anybody, even after subsidies. However, if you expect to have a lot of medical expenses, then they can be well worth the price.
How Do You Know Which ACA Plan Is Right For You?
- How often do you traditionally use insurance?
- Are you wanting a lower deductible or are you comfortable with a higher deductible?
- What kind of network are you looking for (EPO, HMO)?
- Which carrier does your doctor accept?
Section 3: Short Term Plans
How Do Short Term Plans Work?
Short-term plans are available to be enrolled for any desired date. They can go effective the next day. Because they don’t cover any pre-existing conditions, there are health questions during the application process.
What is a Short Term Health Insurance Plan?
Short term health plans are meant to be an option when you are between health coverage, outside of enrollment times, or need coverage in case of an emergency.
However, in recent years, short term plans have been used as regular coverage due to their lower costs.
Are Short Term Plans Right For Me?
A short term plan may be the best option for you if:
- You are under the age of 40
- Don’t use insurance other than for emergencies or big injuries
- Need to have affordable coverage with a PPO network
- You have no pre-existing conditions
If these describe you, then it may be time to consider the healthcare options that are available to you.
Benefits to Short Term Plans
- They are not on the marketplace
- Can be written for as short as 1 month and as long as 36 months
- They have nationwide PPO networks
- The major benefit for these plans is catastrophic coverage. They don’t offer day 1 coverage for doctor visits. These are great plans for young people who need catastrophic coverage at an affordable rate
Section 4: Health Sharing Ministries
What is a Health Sharing Ministry?
Health sharing ministries (also called health shares) are nonprofit groups providing healthcare alternatives. They work similarly to health insurance: members pay a monthly contribution and, in return, can pull from a shareable pool of funds if they have sudden medical expenses.
How Health Sharing Works
Health shares work similarly to health insurance. However, there are some differences in terminology and operation.
Here’s how it works:
- Apply to join a health sharing ministry
- Affirm your understanding of the ministries moral and/or religious beliefs
- Start paying a monthly contribution to help other members
- Go to a doctor/medical facility for needed care and present them your id card
- Pay any upfront costs. That visit’s bill is sent to the ministry for processing.
- Your health sharing ministry shares in the cost your eligible expenses
Benefits to Health Shares
Health Shares Offer:
- Lower monthly costs than comparable health insurance plans
- Lower unshareable amounts than comparable deductibles
- Plans that can be used nationwide
- Year-round enrollments
- Help in sharing of your medical bills
- Access to free services including telemedicine, prescription, dental, and vision discount services
Are Health Sharing Ministries Right For Me?
Joining a Health Sharing Group is a big decision, and it is not right for everyone. A Health Sharing Ministry may be the best option for you if:
- You are generally a healthy person
- Your yearly income is too high for reasonable ACA subsidies
- You do not have any/adequate employer-sponsored health insurance
- You have no pre-existing conditions
- You are looking for a benefit rich plan that is an alternative to other individual options
- You are a person of faith interested in supporting like minded ministries
If these describe you, then it may be time to consider the healthcare options that are available to you.
Section 5: Simplifying Health Insurance
Common Health Insurance Terminology
What is Open Enrollment?
A yearly period in the winter that people can enroll in a health insurance plan. For open enrollment, this will be from November 1 to January 15. You can enroll outside of this period if you have a qualifying life event.
What is a qualifying life event?
This is an event that takes place that gives you a special enrollment period. All of the possible qualifying life events are listed below.
Loss of Health Coverage
- Your dependents or you lose health coverage because of loss of eligibility or loss of employer contributions
- You or your spouse takes an unpaid leave of absence
- You become eligible for or lose Medicaid coverage
- You or your spouse has a change in employment status
- You turn 26 and lose coverage from your parent’s plan
Change in Household
- You get married, divorced, or legally separated (with court order)
- You have a child or adopt a child
- There is a death in the family
Other Qualifying Events
- Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
- Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
- AmeriCorps members starting or ending their service
For the full list of qualifying life events, check them here.
Change in Residence
- Moving to a new home with a new Zip code or county
- Moving to the U.S. from a foreign country
- A student moving to or from the place they attend school
- A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
- Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing
Differences Between Networks
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Network
This is the smallest network available for consumers and there are no out of network benefits.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Network
There are required referrals to see specialists. There are no out of network benefits promised (life-threatening emergencies can potentially be covered).
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Network
This is the most expansive network that a consumer can purchase. It always includes a PPO in-network discount when you see in-networks providers, but typically provides out of network benefits as well.
What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network?
In-Network is a provider has agreed to no only accept your health insurance plan, but agree to discounts to the consumer with a specific insurance network. For example: John Doe accepts Aetna and will let you come and see him. But, if you have Blue Cross, you will get more discounts and cheaper treatment because he is in-network with Blue Cross.
Out-of-network usually refers to hospitals and physicians who do not participate in an insurer’s provider network. These healthcare providers usually do not sign contracts to accept the negotiated prices.
Bonus Section: Health Insurance Hacks & Tips
Bonus: The Benefits of a Broker
The fact of the matter is this: most people would benefit from using a broker to find health insurance. They have extensive knowledge of the health insurance industry, and their ability to find and compare plans most likely can’t be replicated by an ordinary person. Any costs associated with them are already baked into premium payments for everybody, regardless of whether they use a broker or not.
If you want to work with a broker, then there is no better place to go than Apollo Health Insurance. Our brokers are licensed and trained annually and can help you find the plan that best suits your individual needs and budget. Talking to them is totally free and there is no obligation to enroll.
How Do You Save Money When Dealing With Health Insurance?
Most people don’t realize that there are other options besides their traditional group plans or Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans that are available.
Different plans look at different criteria to determine price. For example, the Affordable Care Act will determine prices based on the household income. A higher income typically comes with a higher premium.
In this case, a high-income family or individual is more likely to find affordable options on the private market.
How Do You Find The Right Plan?
To find the right plan, you must know what is truly important to you.
Is price the most important thing to you?
Do you want a plan that is going to be a PPO?
Do you want something that is going to cover all preexisting conditions, or do you have a certain doctor that you want to continue to see?
Once you have answered some of these questions, your choices will begin to narrow down to find the right option for you.
How Do I Access My Health Insurance Information?
All carriers will send out welcome emails that give you access to your member portal to access plan info, ID cards.
They will also send out the welcome packet along with the ID cards in the mail.
If for some reason you are at the doctor and don’t have the card, you can call the carrier’s customer service number and get your policy number over the phone.
Info About Health Insurance Brokers
Common Broker Questions and Answers
Should I Use a Health Insurance Broker?
As long as the broker you choose is free for their services, there’s only benefits and positives from working with a health insurance broker.
Health brokers will know the insurance industry inside and out and be able to navigate it on your behalf. Every broker from Apollo, has to spend months in training to educate themselves on insurance plans.
Save yourself the trouble and time of having to learn about health insurance and let a pro like Apollo help you.
What Does a Health Insurance Broker Do?
Health Insurance brokers like Apollo will do the following:
- Ask you questions to understand what matters to you and to understand you so they can recommend health plans.
- Go over the different health coverage policies that can be a good fit for you.
- Go over the details of the policy so you know what and how it works.
- A broker will sign you up for the health coverage policy directly with an insurance company so you don’t have to.
- You’ll get an insurance card and confirmation of your new policy.
- If there are any problems with billing, coverage, doctores visits, you can call the broker instead of a insurance company. (This is what Apollo does)
How Does a Health Insurance Broker Get Paid?
Insurance brokers get paid by insurance companies when they sign up for a new policy. Clients will spend the same amount if a broker signs them up or if they sign up directly from a health insurance company.
How Do I Find a Reputable Health Insurance Broker
It’s important when researching health insurance brokers to look at reviews and testimonials from prior clients. Make sure there are over 50 reviews.
Also, companies that are brokers usually offer better services then individual agents.
For example, Apollo is a health insurance brokerage company with over 50 agents. These agents work as a team under the Apollo service umbrella.