November 2014
Luncheon Speakers Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!
Nov. 3 - Erica Delma
The Executive Director of the Jefferson County YMCA will talk about how the YMCA works and how it strengthens the economy and community livability. She will also provide a glimpse into the future. Sponsor United Good Neighbors
Nov. 10 - No Meeting Veteran’s Day
Nov. 17 - Celia Fry, Lynn Meyer
Experts from Age at Home ask: “Is your home ready for your future? Sponsor Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Nov. 24 - Don Knapp
Knapp, a community activist and visionary, will talk about the six principles of a successful organization. Sponsor The CoLab
Changing health insurance options: What to expect with state exchange By Kristin Manwaring As exchange certified insurance brokers, we have completed our first 12 months of work within the Washington Health Benefit Exchange also known as Washington Healthplanfinder. As part of national health care reform, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange created Washington Healthplanfinder – an online marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses in Washington State to compare and enroll in health insurance plans and access tax credits. While we have assisted with many successful enrollments, we have also been involved in many enrollments that have been problematic with either billing issues or stuck applications within the State Exchange. The following are a few things Kristin Manwaring to keep in mind as we move rolled in a health plan through toward 2015. Washington Healthplanfinder, you will receive a letter from FOR INDIVIDUALS the exchange letting you know The open enrollment period necessary steps to take to renew for individuals and families is Nov. 15, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2015. coverage. There is also the option to switch to a new plan The open enrollment period applies to plans offered both in during open enrollment. The and outside the state exchange. deadline to renew, enroll or With few exceptions, this is the switch plans is 4:59 p.m. Dec. 23 to have coverage effective one time of year in which one Jan. 1. can make changes or enroll in Please keep in mind that you an individual health plan unless own your Healthplanfinder acthere is a qualifying event. count. By creating an account in If you are currently en-
Healthplanfinder you self-attest that information provided is correct and that any updates to information including income will be reported throughout the year by logging into your account and reporting a change. We expect 2015 rates will be available on Washington Healthplanfinder’s website Nov. 15, the day open enrollment begins. The payment deadline for coverage, to be effective January 1, 2015, is 4:59 p.m. on Dec. 23, whether you are currently enrolled or becoming enrolled for the first time through Washington Healthplanfinder. If you are currently enrolled through Washington Healthplanfinder and your account is past due, it must be paid current and the January 2015 premium must be paid by this deadline to avoid having your coverage lapse. Only health insurance purchased through wahealthplanfinder.org qualifies for a subsidy for people meeting income requirements. Subsidies are not available for plans outside the exchange. SMALL BUSINESS 1-50 EMPLOYEES A small business can apply for coverage any time of year and is not restricted to the open enrollment period Nov. 15 to
Feb. 15. Small businesses will have many options outside the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) provided by the state but only one carrier, Moda Health Plan, will be available statewide and is new to the small business exchange for 2015. Kaiser Permanente will continue to be available in Clark and Cowlitz counties. Some additional carriers offering plans in the private marketplace are: Aetna, Premera Blue Cross, Regence BlueShield, Moda Health Plan, United Healthcare along with several Association plans. If applying for coverage through SHOP/Healthplanfinder Business, any employee working 30 hours or more per week is considered to be benefit eligible. If continuing a plan outside of SHOP you can continue to define eligibility up to 40 hours per week. Small Business Tax credits through the IRS are available for both for-profit and taxexempt organizations to help cover the cost of coverage for employees. Starting in 2014, the credit will increase to cover 50 percent of premium costs. To qualify, small employers must: • Provide health insurance to employees and cover at least Continued on Page 2