I apologize for this lengthy post. But it contains critical information and links necessary for you to make a decision on which health plan to choose, and to apply to either a Covered California Exchange health plan, or to a plan outside of the Exchange.
It’s been a challenge to communicate such an enormous amount of information to so many people in such a short period of time. But we are determined to help you take care of this before the deadline of Dec. 23rd.

How to apply
(A) On-Exchange (CoveredCA) Plans — Plans that allow tax subsidies.
www.coveredCA.com
Please use these links below for paper applications and instructions on how to apply online.
(If these links do not open automatically when you click, please copy and paste the URL address onto the address line on your browser, and click return.)
(1) Link to, “Fillable Covered CA paper application”. This paper application form allows you to complete by typing in answers and then printing out. This form is much easier and takes one-fifth of the time to complete over the CoveredCA.com online application:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/olamsrnb43cv2xl/Fillable%20CovCA%20Application%20P%20Lee%20Agent.pdf

(2) Link to, “Application Screenshots Covered CA”. Step by Step instructions with screenshots on how to submit an application using coveredCA.com. It shows how to set up a User ID, password and then designate an Agent. You then continue to complete the application yourself:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9pas1gmsycqdrfx/Application%20Screenshots%20CovCA.docx

(3) Link to Instructions for “Agent Designation ” on CoveredCA.com website. Step by Step Instructions with screenshots on how to designate Philip W Lee, License #0795681, as your Certified Insurance Agent to service your account:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckzl7m70h9brnt6/Agent%20Designation%20ScreenShots.docx

Please be sure to enter my agent license number so that we may continue to service your account and receive credit for doing so. (Agent Philip W Lee License # 0795681) There are no fees to you and you do not pay any additional premium for having an agent. You will however receive our ongoing helpful service.

(B) Off Exchange (non-CoveredCA) Plans — Non-standardized plans with no tax subsidies.
Apply by clicking the below links and following the online instructions:

Anthem Blue Cross:
https://brokerportal.anthem.com/ehb/web/bkr/acc/agentconnect/PHILIPLEE_1

Blue Shield: https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/ApplyNow?xyz=I%2Bc68ZizpmLi

Health Net: https://www.healthnet.com/portal/consumer/ca/getYourQuote.ndo?region=CA&a=10952

Kaiser: https://smu.kaiserpermanente.org/expressweb/ClearWorkspace.action?nextAction=/user/URLDecryptAction.action&refID=7o830apvbn8eyriuut5qmukks0hfomvhibykqt7emn1yam3vpqwgnp5t815gww

Compare On and Off Exchange Plans

Side-by-Side Comparison Reports
If you have not already received customized side-by-side comparison proposals or reports from us, please ask me (email agent@health-insurance or call 925-284-2000). Please include your name(s), Dates of Birth, Zip Code(s) and email address. There are two reports: (1) On Exchange Proposal comparing plan inside the Covered CA Exchange, and (2) Off Exchange Proposal comparing plans outside of the Covered CA Exchange.

What you need to consider in your decision:

1) Do you qualify for a Tax Subsidy?
You may estimate your health plan premiums and subsidies using the Shop and Compare Tool Calculator on the Covered California website.

https://www.coveredca.com/shopandcompare/#calculator

If you know that you qualify for a subsidy, and want to take advantage of it, then you should apply to Covered CA, naming us as your Designated Agent (Instructions on Agent Designation are above).

If you know that you do not qualify for a subsidy, it will be advisable to consider plans that are outside of the Covered CA Exchange. Plans sold in the Exchange are also available outside of the Exchange at the same prices with the same benefits. But there will be a larger variety of plans to choose from outside. The plans outside the Exchange may have different provider networks and additional carriers.

Applications to plans outside the Exchange will not require you to divulge personal information like income and immigration status to Govt. entities like the IRS, CMS, HHS, DOL, NSA, Homeland Security, etc.

2) Are your doctors and hospitals listed in the Provider Network of the plan that you are considering?
Most Individual/Family plans, except for Health Net and Kaiser, whether in or out of the Covered CA Exchange, will have reduced or “skinny” provider networks. .These plans do not have the same full PPO or HMO networks that you may have been used to with pre-ACA plans. The provider search function in coveredca.com may not have up to date listings. However several of the carriers have posted “provider lists” on their own websites. There are links to these lists below. Please be aware that physicians are still negotiating with the carriers, and that these lists may change daily.

Anthem Blue Cross will only be offering a limited, reduced size provider network for their Individual/Family plans in and out of the Covered CA Exchange. This list is about 40% -60% of their full PPO network.
Blue Shield of CA will be offering a limited provider network for all their Individual/Family metallic plans in and out of the Covered CA Exchange. The new network will have 50% of the doctors and 70% of the hospitals of their previous full network.
Kaiser’s network will be the same in and out of the Exchange, and same as their current network.
Health Net has announced that they will be using the same provider network in 2014 as in 2013, i.e. their full PPO network.
Cigna will also be offering a reduced PPO network call the LocalPlus Net for their Individual plans in 2014. However, Cigna is allowing individuals to enroll (through Dec.14th) onto their 2013 plans. They will then renew these plans for one year on 12/31/13 (with a 5% increase for ACA taxes and fees), thus delaying ACA changes until Dec. 2014. These plans will retain the old provider network and drug formularies until Dec. 2014.

If you are not able to find a satisfactory provider network among the Individual and Family plans inside or outside of the Exchange, please give us a call at 925-284-2000. There may be other options such as small group plans.

To search for Doctors and Hospitals:

Anthem Blue Cross Provider Finder:
http://www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ca/popcontent?content_path=shared/f1/s0/t0/pw_e206382.htm

Blue Shield of CA Provider Finder:
https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/ApplyNow?xyz=I%2Bc68ZizpmLi

Health Net Provider Finder:
https://www.healthnet.com/portal/provider/providerSearch.do?region=CA

Cigna Provider Finder:
http://www.cigna.com/ifp-providers
Plans starting in 2013 have the OAP network (expansive)
Plans starting in 2014 will have the LocalPlus Network (narrower)

3) Are your prescription drugs on the Drug Formulary List of the plan that you are applying to?
Please be aware that carriers have told us that they may be reducing some of their prescription drug formulary lists prior to Jan. 1.
Some carriers are starting to post their formulary lists on their websites. But those lists may be updates frequently. Health Net has announced that there will be no change to their drug formulary list in 2014 from 2013.

For your convenience, I have attached a link to the online formulary lists for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Please keep in mind that these lists may change.

Anthem Blue Cross Drug Formulary list can be found at:
http://www.anthem.com/ca/CAExchangedruglist4.pdf

Blue Shield Formulary List can be found at:
https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/documents/pharmacy/Standard_Formulary.pdf

4) Are you on a grandfathered health plan?
If you are on a grandfathered plan, you would have received a letter from your carrier notifying you of that.
If you don’t know, please call your carrier to find out.
If you do have a grandfathered plan, then it will retain its existing provider network, drug formulary list and benefit design.
If you find that the new ACA-compliant plans for 2014 do not satisfy the provider network, formulary list or pricing that you desire, then you should keep this grandfathered plan.

To recap, apply to Covered CA (with us as your Designated Agent), if:

a) You qualify for a sizable Tax Subsidy
b) Your doctors and hospitals are in the plan’s reduced network.
c) Your prescription drugs are in the plan’s Formulary List and you do not need to obtain prior authorization from the new Exchange plan to continue an expensive prescription medication.
d) You do not want to consider any of the Off-Exchange health plans.
e) You do not want to keep a grandfathered plan which may have a more favorable provider network or drug formulary list.
f) You are comfortable with the fact that Covered CA will be sharing your PII (Personal Identifiable Information), PHI (Private Health Information) and financial information with other government and non-government entities that may include the IRS, Dept. of Homeland Security, Center for Medicare Medicaid Services, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Insurance, Dept. of Managed Health Care, the State of California and Equifax.
g) You are comfortable that the Covered CA website will provide adequate security and protection against hacking and identity theft.

If you are not comfortable with all of the above, you may consider an Off-Exchange plan, or another carrier not on the Exchange like Cigna, or a small group plan.

Documents that Covered California may request from you when you apply to On Exchange plans. (These will not be required for Off Exchange plans.)
• Your W-2 wage statement
• Your Bank Account Statement
• Your IRS 1040 form showing your household AGI income
• Your current health plan information such as ID card, plan summary, billing statement, cancellation notice, notice of mapping, premium increase letter, letter of grandfathered status, etc.
• Drivers License, Passport, Resident Alien ID card or naturalization papers.
Thank you for reading these lengthy emails.

Please call me at 925-284-2000 if you have any questions. You may get updates on my blog at http://www.healthplantalk.com/

Very sincerely,

Phil Lee
www.health-insurance.com
925-284-2000

Please read this before making your decision

Should you Apply to a Covered California Exchange health plan now, or wait until the Off Exchange health plans are released (late Nov.)?

What you need to consider in your decision:

A) Do you qualify for a Tax Subsidy?
You may estimate your health plan premiums and subsidies using the Shop and Compare Tool Calculator on the Covered California website.

https://www.coveredca.com/shopandcompare/#calculator

If you know that you do qualify for a subsidy, and want to take advantage of it, then you should apply to Covered CA, naming us as your Designated Agent (Instructions on Agent Designation are attached).

If you know that you do not qualify for a subsidy, it will be to your advantage to consider plans that are outside of the Covered CA Exchange. Plans sold in the Exchange are also available outside of the Exchange at the same prices with the same benefits. There will be a larger number of plans to choose from outside. The plans outside the Exchange may have different provider networks.

In addition, applications to plans outside the Exchange will not require you to divulge personal information like income and immigration status to Govt. entities like the IRS, CMS, HHS, NSA, Homeland Security, etc.

B) Are your doctors and hospitals listed in the Provider Network of the plan that you are considering?
Most Individual/Family plans, whether in or out of the Covered CA Exchange, will have reduced or “skinny” provider networks. These plans do not have the same full PPO or HMO networks that you may have been used to with pre-ACA plans. The provider search function in coveredca.com may not have up to date listings. However several of the carriers have posted “provider finders” on their own websites. Please be aware that physicians are still negotiating with the carriers, and that these networks may change daily.

Anthem Blue Cross has notified us that they will only be offering a limited, reduced size provider network for their Individual/Family plans in and out of the Covered CA Exchange.
Blue Shield of CA has notified us that they will be offering a limited provider network for all their Individual/Family metallic plans in and out of the Covered CA Exchange. The new network will have 50% of the doctors and 70% of the hospitals of their previous full network.
Kaiser has notified us that their network will be the same in and out of the Exchange, and same as their current network.
Health Net has not yet announced their decision on provider networks.

If you are not able to find a satisfactory provider network among the Individual and Family plans inside or outside of the Exchange, Please give us a call at 925-284-2000. There may be small business group plans with wider networks — as long as you have a business with 2 or more employees.

To search for Doctors and Hospitals:
Anthem Blue Cross Provider Finder:
http://www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ca/popcontent?content_path=shared/f1/s0/t0/pw_e206382.htm

Blue Shield of CA Provider Finder:
https://www.blueshieldca.com/fap/app/search.html

C) Are your prescription drugs on the Drug Formulary List of the plan that you are applying to?
Please be aware that carriers have told us that they may be modifying and likely reducing some of their prescription drug formulary lists prior to Jan. 1.
Some carriers are starting to post their formulary lists on their websites. But those lists may be updates frequently.

For your convenience, I have attached a link to the online formulary lists for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Please keep in mind that these lists may change.

Anthem Blue Cross Drug Formulary list can be found at:
http://www.anthem.com/ca/CAExchangedruglist4.pdf

Blue Shield Formulary List can be found at:
https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/documents/pharmacy/Standard_Formulary.pdf

D) Are you on a grandfathered health plan?
If you are on a grandfathered plan, you will have received a letter from your carrier notifying you of that.
If you do not know, you need to call your carrier to find out.
If you do have a grandfathered plan, that health plan will retain your existing provider network, drug formulary list and benefit design.
If you find that the new ACA-compliant plans for 2014 do not satisfy the provider network, formulary list or prices that you want, then you may keep this grandfathered plan.

To recap, apply now to Covered CA (with us as your Designated Agent) if you are certain that:
1. You qualify for a Tax Subsidy
2. Your doctors and hospitals are in the plan’s reduced network.
3. Your prescription drugs are in the plan’s Formulary List and you do not need to obtain prior authorization from the new Exchange plan to continue an expensive prescription medication.
4. You do not want to consider any of the non-Exchange health plans. (You have to wait until Nov. 15 or later for details on these outside plans.)
5. You do not want to keep a grandfathered plan which may have a more favorable provider network or drug formulary list.
6. You are comfortable with the fact that Covered CA will be sharing your PII (Personal Identifiable Information), PHI (Private Health Information) and financial information with other government and non-government entities that may include the IRS, Dept. of Homeland Security, Center for Medicare Medicaid Services, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Insurance, Dept. of Managed Health Care, the State of California and Equifax.
7. You are comfortable that the Covered CA website will provide adequate security and protection against hacking and identity theft.

If you are not comfortable with the incomplete information right now, I would recommend waiting until after Nov. 15 when more is known.

Documents or information you may need to make your decision and apply for coverage?
• Your W-2 wage statement
• Your IRS 1040 form showing your household AGI income
• Your current health plan information such as ID card, plan summary, billing statement, cancellation notice, notice of mapping, premium increase letter, letter of grandfathered status, etc.
• Drivers License, Passport, Resident Alien ID card or naturalization papers.

Caution:
We are informed by the insurance carriers that the Provider Network lists and the Prescription Drug Formulary lists posted online have not been finalized, and that there may be changes to these lists.
Please be aware that if you qualify for a federal subsidy to help pay the premium, this subsidy may change at any time should your income change or should the laws change.
Please be aware that an application to the Covered CA Exchange requires you to submit sensitive PII (Personal Identifiable Information) and PHI (Private Health Information) to a Government entity which may share this info with several other Govt. and non-government entities that may include the IRS, Dept. of Homeland Security, Center for Medicare Medicaid Services, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. of Labor, the Dept. of Insurance, Dept. of Managed Health Care, the State of California and Equifax.
There may be other, as yet undiscovered, risks related to your application to Covered California.

Philip W Lee
www.health-insurance.com
www.healthplantalk.com