This Blog Was Updated in May of 2022
WHILE THERE ARE MANY AREAS IN LIFE THAT WE MIGHT ENGAGE IN DIY, OR DO-IT-YOURSELF, OPTIONS, SOME TASKS REQUIRE EXPERTISE THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE. ONE OF THESE IS FINDING AND CHOOSING THE BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR OURSELVES OR OUR FAMILIES.
In addition, owners of smaller businesses often need to find the best plan options to offer their employees. And the fact is that most people are not experts in the realm of health insurance coverage.
Which is why having the assistance and guidance of a reputable expert in health insurance can be vitally important and beneficial.
Of course, in California it is relatively easy for individuals to purchase a health plan for themselves, or for their families and themselves. However, the options are so varied and the distinctions between various plans are so complex, that it is quite possible to settle on a plan that is far from being the best fit for your needs.
All of which is why having an experienced and expert insurance agent like J.C. Lewis Insurance can make the difference between a sub-par health plan and finding the best solution for your health insurance needs.
FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, CALIFORNIA NORTH BAY RESIDENTS HAVE J.C. LEWIS INSURANCE
One of the benefits of health insurance plan options for those living in California is that employees do not have to accept the plans provided by their employers. If you choose to opt out of your company’s plan offerings, you can, if you prefer, shop directly with health insurance providers or through the state’s health exchange known as Covered California.
However, what you will likely find is that the options can be overwhelming.
Covered California, for example, currently works with 13 different health insurance providers, each of which offers several plans under at least four different categories known as Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans. And this does not take into account the options of catastrophic plans and short-term plans.
Most individuals looking to purchase a health insurance plan are concerned with affordability, of course, but also with sufficient coverage and availability of services. And these are factors that can be difficult to determine without an extensive knowledge of the industry.
The fact is that the healthcare insurance industry is complicated and continually changing. In addition, there are timelines to comply with and limitations based on income and geography.
The good news is that for California North Bay residents, J.C. Lewis Insurance is available to help individuals and business owners navigate the “turbulent seas” of health care coverage.
WHY YOU MUST BE INSURED IF YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA
Most adults are familiar with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) back in 2010. Commonly referred to as Obamacare, one of the stipulations of the legislation was the individual mandate. This was the requirement for all eligible citizens to have health insurance or else be subject to a tax penalty.
As of 2019, the Obamacare individual mandate was essentially made null and no longer applies at the federal level. However, a few states, such as California, implemented their own version of the individual mandate.
The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) imposes a penalty for not having health insurance that is either the greater of 2.5 percent of the household annual income or a flat dollar amount of $750 per adult and $375 per child in the household. And these numbers can increase each year based on inflation.
While these figures may seem acceptable to some who may feel they do not want to purchase insurance, the median household income in the North Bay is somewhere around $120,000. That would work out to an annual penalty of almost $3,000 per year.
FOUR REASONS TO CHOOSE J.C. LEWIS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
Life presents us all with a series of choices, some more difficult than others. Finding and choosing a health insurance plan can rank up there with one of the more involved decisions many of must make.
If you are an employee and your company provides a robust benefits package including health insurance plan choices, the decision is often simply picking one plan over another. But if you are an employer trying to make sense of the various stipulations and requirements of group coverage, or an individual who needs to find a plan on your own, it can be beneficial to have a firm like J.C. Lewis Insurance to help you through the process.
There are many good reasons to choose us to help you with your health insurance needs, and here are four of the top reasons.
WE HELP YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS
At J.C. Lewis, the health insurance selection process for both individuals and small business owners is something that we have decades of experience with. And our expert team of agents are well equipped to help you through the process, regardless of your needs.
We understand, for example, that a priority for many individuals and families when considering the bewildering variety of different health insurance plans available is to find one that fits your needs and your budget.
As experienced agents, we can confidently work with you to compare plan details and explain fees and pricing, as well as explain in simple terms any complex features or unfamiliar verbiage.
Our agents can also walk you through the process to determine if you qualify for subsidies on Covered California individual or family coverage insurance premiums. We will also make recommendations for plans we believe can be the best option for you, or you and your family.
A J.C. Lewis agent will also take the time to assist you through the policy application process, as well as address any delays or other technicalities to help make the purchasing process easier for you.
WE HAVE ACCESS TO OPTIONS
Another reason to choose J.C. Lewis Insurance for your health insurance needs is to take advantage of our broad access to the leading health insurance carriers licensed to do business in California.
As certified California insurance agents and brokers, we have access to a wide variety of health insurance plan types and carriers. This means, among other things, that as an individual or a small business owner, you can take advantage of the wider range of options we can provide and, as a result, find a more suitable healthcare coverage plan for your needs, all of which is a huge benefit to you.
WE CAN GET THE BEST COVERAGE AT THE RIGHT COST
In the more than a decade since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, the nation has seen changes in their average monthly premium costs for health insurance. While some have experienced significant reductions in costs from the benefit of federal tax subsidies applied to those who qualify for those programs, others have had the opposite.
According to one source,
“Obamacare more than doubled health insurance costs for workers and families, with the national average premium increasing by 129 percent from 2013 to 2019.”
The same article notes that health insurance premiums vary due to plan differences including scope of covered benefits, their levels of patient cost sharing, and their panels of participating providers, as well as differences in enrollee age and location, among other metrics.
At J.C. Lewis Insurance, one of the truths we understand well is there is no “one-size-fits-all” plan that is a good fit for your healthcare needs, regardless of the affordability.
We can help you obtain the best coverage at a cost that is affordable, but that also ensures that you are getting the right coverage at the right price.
WE PROVIDE PERSONAL SERVICE
In an increasingly impersonal, “online” and virtual society, the value and benefits of personal, face-to-face service and assistance is of more value than ever before.
When you work with J.C. Lewis Insurance, you won’t be navigating complicated website portals or robotic phone assistants. You’ll be working face-to-face with someone who not only knows the area but also the best health insurance providers in our area.
Personal service means we can answer all your questions, in person, whether that’s questions about which health plans can best fit your needs, or which plans will provide the most benefits for your employees for the lowest costs.
Personal service also means we take a personal interest in you and your needs.
YOUR NUMBER ONE LOCAL CHOICE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
At J.C. Lewis Insurance we want to be your insurance partner and we offer quality health insurance plans only from the leading health insurance carriers licensed to do business in the states that we operate in.
We are a family-owned and operated health insurance agency located in Sonoma County, California. As specialists in finding and managing medical insurance plans for individuals, families, and small businesses, we are licensed and certified by each insurance carrier we represent.
In addition, we help provide coverage for seniors with Medicare supplemental and prescription drug plans.
Finding the right health insurance plan in California can be challenging and there are many options to choose from. For example, if your employer does not offer health benefits, an individual or family plan may be the best option for you or you and your family.
And if you’re a small business employer who wants to start offering health insurance options to your employees, we are ready to help and answer any questions you may have.
At J.C. Lewis Insurance we understand that when considering different health insurance options for you and your family, or for your workers, there will likely be many questions and concerns. And we invite you to bring your questions about health coverage insurance to us and you can be assured that JC Lewis Insurance Services will help you find the right solutions for your health insurance needs.
So, call us today for more information or request a quote online.
