Q. What companies do you deal with?

 

A. We have access to all the insurance companies in New York and have no loyalties to any particular one.

 

Q. How can I get quotes? What do the plans cost?

 

A. We are more than happy to provide you with a personalized quote. However it would be impossible to post prices on a web site. With almost a dozen different insurers in New York, and literally thousands of different plan combinations, we suggest you contact us for a quote.

 

Q. If you give me a quote today, will it be good 6 months from now?     

 

A.  No. Health insurance rates increase quarterly until the plan is started. After that the rate will remain the same until the one year renewal.

 

Q. Will the price on my plan ever increase?

 

A. Yes. Plans renew once a year. Upon renewal, the prices always go up. About a month before the renewal date, we contact out clients to examine any other options for coverage and review ways to change the existing plan to save money. 

 

Q. Can I cancel my plan or must I keep it for one year?

 

A. You may cancel the plan at anytime by notifying us and the company in writing, before the start of the next month.

 

Q. Do you sell the "Discount Health Plans" we see advertised on the Internet?

 

A. Absolutely NOT. Those are purely "discount" plans arranged with specific providers. They are NOT insurance and NOT overseen by The State Insurance Department.

 

Q. Am I covered for pre-existing conditions?

 

A. Pre-existing conditions are covered under group contracts in NY, as long as you have had health insurance for the previous 12 months, without any gap in coverage that exceeded 60 days. Additionally, there is a company that will allow you to add a rider to cover pre-existing conditions if you didn't have coverage during the past 12 months. We can't be sure how long the insurer in question will continue to offer this option.

 

Q. Will my dependents be covered if they are full time students?

 

A. Yes. Ages depend on the particular company. Dependents are usually covered to 19 and until 23 if they are full time students. Some companies allow a rider to extend coverage to age 23/25.

 

Q. What doctors are in the plan?

 

A. We are able to look up what plans all of your doctors accept. Just provide us with a list of their names, locations, and what type of doctor they are.

 

Q. Do I need a referral to see a specialist in these plans?

 

A. Not always. It depends on the plan. Many companies offer plans that require a referral and ones that don't.

 

Q. Do I have to stay in the network to get care?

 

A. That depends entirely on the plan. Some plans require you to stay in the network and others provide you with a deductible/co-insurance structure if you wish to go outside of the network. Inevitably, you will save money in the form of a lower premium and lower cost of care, by staying inside of a network.

 

Q. I have a business and it's comprised of just me and one other employee. Does the employee need to sign up for the insurance also? Do I need to pay for it?

 

A. No and No. Some companies will write a health insurance plan for just one person out of a group of 2 or more. In addition, you are not responsible for paying for an employee's coverage in most cases. You simply have to offer it to them. If they decide they want the insurance, the premiums can be taken as tax-free deductions from their weekly pay.

 

Q. Can I open a "shell corporation" with my wife and myself as shareholders just to get insurance?

 

A. No. This would constitute insurance fraud. The insurers require that the business be a legitimate business in order to obtain health insurance.

 

Q. I've heard a lot about HSA's (Health Savings Accounts). Do you provide these also?

 

A. These are relatively new products. Currently, the insurance companies are rushing to get to market. As more reliable information becomes available, we will offer them to our clients, as alternatives to traditional health insurance. However, there are limitations and other concerns. Please call us for more information on this.

 

Q. I still have more questions! I'm an information hound! How can I find more answers?

 

A. Call Us or E-mail us and we'll be happy to answer all of your questions!