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Tag: health insurance quotes

Which States Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchanges?

The Open Enrollment Period is almost over: you only have until January 15 to purchase or change your plan! With that being said, though, some states have chosen to extend their deadline; they can do this because, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), each state can run its own health insurance exchange, or Marketplace, in which people can shop for health insurance. 

This state-based Marketplace is a government agency that is created and maintained by the state, and that offers subsidized ACA plans for residents of that state. You can buy a plan from your state’s Marketplace, or you have the option of buying off-exchange coverage from an insurance company; if you do this, you will not get premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions– those are only available through the exchange. So which states run their own Marketplaces and what does that mean for you?

State-Run Vs. Federally Run Exchanges

When the ACA was passed in 2010, it provided funding and laid out rules for states to be able to establish their own exchanges; if states chose not to have their own exchange, the federal government would then step in and offer insurance for that state’s residents. So, many states chose to do it themselves so they could have more control of their Marketplace, and make it more profitable and sustainable. The federally run exchange, accessible through Healthcare.gov, is used in 36 states. The other 14 states (and Washington D.C.) have their own exchanges.

outline of US map

States With Their Own Exchanges:

  • California (Covered California) 
    • Deadline is January 31
  • Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado)
  • Connecticut (Access Health CT)
  • District of Columbia (DC Health Link)
  • Idaho (Your Health Idaho)
  • Maryland (Maryland Health Connection)
  • Massachusetts (Massachusetts Health Connector)
    • Deadline is January 23
  • Minnesota (MNsure)
  • Nevada (Nevada Health Link)
  • New Jersey (Get Covered NJ)
    • Deadline is January 31
  • New York (New York State of Health)
  • Pennsylvania (Pennie)
  • Rhode Island (HealthSource RI)
    • Deadline is January 31
  • Vermont (Vermont Health Connect)
  • Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder)

If you live in a state that has its own exchange, your health insurance plan options and prices might be a little different than if you only have the option of using Healthcare.gov or going off-exchange. In addition, depending on where you live, your OEP might be extended! But just because your state is in control of the Marketplace, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great affordable ACA-compliant health insurance plan that is right for you by working with an EZ agent. 

Looking For Insurance?illustration of a woman with headset on with a stethoscope and clipboard next to her

The best way to get the right plan for you and your needs is by working with a licensed health insurance agent. At EZ, our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, in every state! We will connect you with a local agent who will go over your medical needs and budget, and sift through all the available plans in minutes. We’ll quickly find you a plan that will save you money – especially now, with the premium subsidies President Biden has extended to all Americans. You could save hundreds of dollars a year! No hassle and no obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

ATTN Small Business Owners: 6 Reasons You Should Give Your Employees Insurance

Not convinced small business coverage is worth it?  Find out why we think it is.

1. It’s Cake.

As a business owner, your greatest currency is time. So the last thing you want is to waste that on looking for the right group plan.

When you hire an agent, you hire a full-time tour guide committed to navigating you through the selection process. With demographics, health concerns, and company size to consider, there are plenty of factors that must be included in your final decision.  An agent can explain the nitty-gritty details of selecting a plan that fits your company’s needs, instead of you spending an unbelievable amount of time trying to digest the vast sea of information. Consider them

Cartoon of a man in a suit sitting on a chair with papers in his hand, with another hand in the picture giving paperwork to man sitting down.
An agent can explain the nitty-gritty details of selecting a plan that fits your company’s needs, instead of you spending a large amount of time trying to figure it all out

your “sparknotes” of insurance plans.

This connection is 1-to-1, because trust us – we hate spam calls as much as you do.

Connect With a Personal Agent Now

2. Less Money (From You), Less Problems.

One of the biggest misconceptions about purchasing insurance is the hefty price tag that comes along with it.  And that can be true, if you go about the process in the wrong way. So we’re here to dispel that myth. 

Compared to individual health insurance, high costs of one insured person have a smaller effect in a larger pool – in other words, more people are paying to support the few who use the benefits of being covered to their full extent.

With comparison shopping, you avoid that. You are guaranteed to find the right plan at an affordable price.  You can contribute nothing to a plan – and it will still be beneficial for your employees. No risk is necessary.

It is important to keep in mind that you are not only the owner of your company; you are the owner of the plan selection. 

Checking out your options is a great place to start.

3. “I Want YOU To Buy Health Insurance!”

Little figurines of people passing money to each other from a pile down a line towrds a yellow piggy bank.
You end up saving money by offering employees group insurance. Employer contributions are tax-deductible, employer payroll taxes are reduced by 7.65% of employee contributions, and more!

If you still don’t believe in the affordability of group health coverage, consider this – it’s on Uncle Sam.  Two words for you: Tax. Benefits. 

Here are the tax savings you get by offering group health insurance:

  • Employer contributions are tax-deductible
  • Employer payroll taxes are reduced by 7.65% of employee contributions
  • Employer workers compensation premiums are reduced
  • No payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums on money used towards health benefits. 

And here are the tax savings your employees get by receiving group health insurance:

  • When employees buy health insurance on their own, they have to use post-tax dollars to buy it. They make money, the government taxes that money, and then they take the remaining amount to buy what they need.
  • When employees buy health insurance through a group plan, they pay for the insurance with pre-tax dollars. That can save them up to 30 to 45% on their health insurance premiums.

4. Healthy Employees = Happy Employees

You might not be able to buy the Beatles’ love, but you can buy your employees’.  

Studies show that small business health insurance plans increase employee loyalty and decrease turnover. There’s scientific proof that purchasing insurance for your employees can increase retention and aid in recruitment.  Mic drop. 

In all seriousness, health insurance is a big deal for both employees and job seekers.  For some, it’s even the deciding 

factor between job offers. 

A group of employees standing in a circle with their hands on top of one another. Camera view is looking up at their palms.
Healthy employees means less visits, less appointments, and less sick days. What this means is more productivity in the workplace.

Providing health insurance, despite not being a large corporate powerhouse, shows how much you value your potential and current employees.  Which – if you’re a good boss – is a lot.

5. And Happy Employees = Happy Boss

You can imagine that an employee with a burst appendix or an inflamed wisdom tooth might be a little distracted when calculating the day’s revenue.  But only a little.

Employees who aren’t provided health insurance have an increased likelihood of avoiding doctor appointments or hospital visits. In short, they have an increased likelihood of being unhealthy.

Additionally, healthy employees means less visits, less appointments, and less sick days.  If you focus on “saving money” at the cost of your employees’ health, we’re tellin’ ya, it’s just going to come back and bite you in the bottom. 

Or your bottom line.

6. The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Cobra isn’t just a snake.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a health insurance program that allows an eligible employee and his or her dependents the continued benefits of health insurance coverage in the case that employee loses his or her job or experiences a reduction of work hours. 

Ready to Get Your Cost-free Quote? 

Let’s Go.

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