Many PA Medicaid Recipients Losing Eligibility in Spring 2024
Back in January 2020, when the COVID pandemic started, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE). As a part of this PHE, anyone on Medicaid was allowed to stay on Medicaid without any income requirements until the end of the month in which the PHE ended. During this time, Medicaid recipients did…
Medicare Options
Medicare can become effective as early as the first of the month in which you turn 65. You can apply 3 months before that date. Medicare Part A has no cost and Part B costs $170.10 (more at higher incomes). Because Medicare has lots of gaps and no prescription drug coverage, you need to purchase…
Inflation Reduction Act – Effects on Healthcare
In case you missed it, important new legislation was passed by the Senate that included some major healthcare provisions. The bill goes on to the House which is expected to act on it later this week. MEDICARE The biggest improvement for Medicare members would be the establishment of an annual cap on prescription drug out…
Liz Kennon Awarded as Member of Marketplace Elite Circle of Champions
December 16, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA – Liz Kennon has been nationally recognized for her dedication to helping consumers enroll in and manage qualified health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This nationwide recognition from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a member of the 2020 Marketplace Elite Circle of Champions highlights Liz…
Take Caution with Short-Term Health Insurance
We are now outside of Open Enrollment. Unless you have a “qualifying event”, you cannot get individual health insurance with the protections granted by the Affordable Care Act. You can read about qualifying events and Special Enrollment Periods here. If you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, your only other option is a short-term…
UPMC/HIGHMARK Medicare Network Changes in 2019
As of June 30th, members of Highmark Medicare Advantage plans will no longer have in-network access to UPMC doctors and hospitals. This means that anyone concerned about losing access to their UPMC providers needs to look at their options during the 2019 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. The AEP runs from Oct 15th – Dec 15th,…
Simplifying Medicare: Medicare Advantage vs Medigap
As you or a parent/loved one approaches age 65, you will be inundated with information about Medicare. We, at Kennon Insurance, can help you narrow down your options without reading all of these very complicated brochures. You can enroll in Medicare as early as the first of the month in which you turn 65. Medicare…
Individual Mandate Update
As you may have heard, Congress repealed the Individual Mandate with their tax bill in December 2017. This means that, starting in 2019, people who do not enroll in “qualified” insurance under the Affordable Care Act will not have to pay a penalty with their 2019 taxes. The individual mandate is still in effect for 2018. If…
Fall Enrollment Periods for Medicare and Individual/Family Coverage
Fall Enrollment Periods for Medicare and Individual/Family Coverage Enrollment season is upon us. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th – Dec 7th. During this time, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan, your Medigap plan or your Part D coverage. We currently have rates and plan benefit changes for 2018 Medicare options.…
How did our health insurance become tied to our employer?
Ever wonder how the U.S. health insurance system evolved into this system that largely ties health insurance to your employer? Most other countries do not have this employer-based insurance system. The New York Times published a great summary of how we got where we are today: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/upshot/the-real-reason-the-us-has-employer-sponsored-health-insurance.html
