beniebuzz blog

A few months ago, a report said 42% of Americans were not aware that Obamacare was still a law. I’m not a big news person, but I can’t imagine anyone being unaware based on all the press coverage lately!

Even though there’s concern over the website and the details of the law - it’s still the law. And you may have some things to do to comply with the law. Do you know what those are?

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of money being wasted! There are about 2 months left to the end of the year and the start of a new insurance policy for many Americans.  

So, we’re answering some frequently asked questions to make sure you get the most out of your policy and budget!

Question: I haven’t gotten close to reaching my deductible or out of pocket max – anything specific I should do?

Answer:

You know that overwhelming feeling you get when standing in the shampoo aisle looking at all the choices before you? Conditioning, strengthening, softening, volumizing, clarifying, for fine hair, for colored hair, for oily hair, for limp hair, for dandruff, for split ends, for bald people…ARRRGGHHH!  

Now, take that same feeling and apply it to the 50+ health insurance plan choices you’re about to be presented with (if you’re buying it on your own).

Obamacare implementation feels like that summer I had a cast – it’s dragging on and on! Now that we’re days away from the Health Insurance Exchanges going LIVE on 10/1/13 and weeks away from the 1/1/14 start date, most people are scrambling to figure out what the heck it means to them. 

Are you feeling behind the 8-ball because you don’t read every Obamacare article or watch CNN 24/7? Relax. I’m sharing my tips and brain power in these 6 things you need to know about Health Insurance Exchanges….

1. Refresh me…what’s a Health Insurance Exchange?

Last week, I went to a Heart concert (they were amazing – can’t believe all the songs I knew that I didn’t remember!). So, there I am, sitting with my drink on the lawn and all of a sudden I notice a small gathering of people in front of me taking drags off cigarettes.  And WHAT was the first thing I thought? “Wow, those people are going to pay SO much for health insurance!” (I now see the irony of my realization about the costs of smoking at a "Heart" concert!).

“Well, it’s finally happening. After years of drama on Capitol Hill, a Supreme Court case, a presidential election, and a Mayan apocalypse that could’ve stopped it dead in its tracks (but didn’t), the marquis elements of the Affordable Care Act - sometimes called Obamacare - are about to kick in and big changes are coming to health insurance in 2014.”

That’s the first line of the video you’re about to watch: The YouToons Get Ready for Obamacare! 

I used to think being a smart consumer was getting my Coach handbag on sale at the Nordstrom Rack or buying my favorite new shoes during a Friends & Family event. But, I never thought being a smart consumer also applied to how I spent my money on healthcare – that is, until I read Jim Skinner’s book Smart Money: The Simple Guide to Becoming an Educated , Empowered, Money-Saving Champion of the Healthcare You Deserve.   

Do you understand how your health insurance works? When I was 24 years old and started working my first job, I couldn’t understand it at all!  

That’s funny because I was working for a large insurance company and my degree was in Health Administration. But, I was raised and got my degree in Canada and you probably already know they have a very different system than the US. I’ve now been in the US health insurance industry for 21 years and I’m still learning.