2018 Health Insurance Access Guide

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Alexandra Mosley
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1 2018 Health Insurance Access Guide Guide to Enrolling in Individual & Family Plans Through Via Benefits

2 Making it Easier for You and Your Family to Find the Right Health Plan Please take a moment to review this guide and learn how Via Benefits can help you and your family evaluate your health plan options on the phone or online without any commitment. Our benefit advisors are licensed insurance agents make searching for a health plan simple. They serve as advocates helping you understand your plan options, providing step-by-step guidance in your plan search and assisting you in selecting a plan. They can also help you determine if you qualify for a tax credit to make your coverage more affordable. In addition, our marketplace offers a variety of quality plans all in one place, from the public marketplace and directly from private health insurance companies making it easier for you to find a plan that meets your needs. Best of all, our services are provided at no cost or obligation to you or your family. Review your options online: Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel Contact us by Phone: (TTY: 711) Hours: Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time Bechtel ACC-AG-2018-REV-1 2 Call us

Table of Contents 5 Introducing Via Benefits 7 Via Benefits Advantages 9 Evaluating Your Health Plan Options Go Online Getting started Online tools and enrollment --Security and privacy Call Us

3 Table of Contents 5 Introducing Via Benefits 7 Via Benefits Advantages 9 Evaluating Your Health Plan Options Go Online Getting started Online tools and enrollment --Security and privacy Call Us Scheduling a call to enroll --What to expect during your call 14 Types of Plans Available Through Via Benefits 16 Enrollment and Post-Enrollment You can access our privacy policy at my.viabenefits.com/about/ privacy-policy. If you have questions or concerns about our privacy policy, please contact us at my.viabenefits.com/help. Ready to get started? Let s go! Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 3

4 Health Insurance Enrollment Periods Open Enrollment Period (OEP) The OEP is a period of time each year when you can sign up for health insurance. For coverage starting in 2018, the OEP is from November 1 to December 15, If you don t sign up for health insurance during this period, you may not be allowed to sign up for coverage until the next OEP unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) An SEP is a time outside of the Open Enrollment Period when you are able to sign up for health coverage due to certain life events, such as a change in marital status, a change in household size, moving your residence, or early retirement. Enroll by the 15th, covered by the 1st: You must enroll in a plan by the 15th of the month in order to be covered by the 1st of the next month. 4 Call us

5 Introducing Via Benefits Via Benefits is not an insurance company, but rather a full service health insurance marketplace with a range of plans from the nation s leading insurers. To help you choose the right plan for your needs and budget, we offer personalized, unbiased support from our licensed benefit advisors, who have assisted over one million people in understanding and selecting health plans. We also offer a website with easy-to-use tools that aid you in finding the right plan for your situation. Best of all, our services are free to you and your family. How we can help you Evaluating health plans can be complicated since there are many factors to consider, including the variety of insurance companies and types of plans. Via Benefits is here to help you evaluate your options and determine which plans meet your unique needs. We can help you with: Determining if there are plans that offer you better value than your current plan Identifying whether you qualify for a tax credit to lower the cost of coverage Understanding your health care needs and identifying plans that meet those needs Comparing plans side by side Enrolling in a health plan Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 5

6 Marketplace or exchange You may hear health insurance marketplaces called exchanges. These terms mean the same thing: a market where you can shop for a health insurance plan, either online or over the phone, and enroll in a plan that suits you. Tax credit Financial assistance to help with monthly premiums. You may qualify for a tax credit depending on your income level, family size and current coverage. Tax credits are only available to those who purchase a plan from a public marketplace. Our licensed benefit advisors can help you determine if you qualify for a tax credit. Medicaid and Children s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Social health programs that provide free or low-cost health coverage to low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. Our licensed benefit advisors can help you determine if you and your family qualify for these programs and put you in touch with specialists who can help you with Medicaid or CHIP coverage. 6 Call us

7 Via Benefits Advantages There are a number of advantages to using Via Benefits when shopping for and purchasing a health plan. More than one million people who work with Via Benefits receive: Unbiased, personalized support, at no cost to you. We take the time to help you evaluate your options and suggest a plan that fits your needs and budget. Our licensed benefit advisers work as unbiased advocates with no financial incentive or reward for enrolling you in one health plan over another so you can be sure they base their recommendations on the needs of you and your household. Access to easy-to-use online tools for evaluating plans. Our website tools make it easy for you to shop, compare and select plans. You can easily search for plans in your area and sort by price, plan type, insurance company and other factors. You can also compare plans side by side to understand the differences between them. In addition, you can identify whether you qualify for a tax credit to lower the cost of coverage. A range of quality plans. We work with top national and regional health insurance companies to provide you with a range of quality health plans. Our marketplace offers plans from the public marketplace and directly from private insurance companies all in one place. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 7

8 Enrollment support. Our licensed benefit advisors will work with you to complete your enrollment application and submit it for you. This can save you time and ensure that your application is accurate and complete. Or, if you prefer, many plans allow you to enroll online. Year round advocacy. We continue to serve as your advocate as long as you stay enrolled in a plan you purchased through the Via Benefits marketplace. You can call us anytime to get help with questions or issues that may arise with your insurance company or health plan. Additionally, if your circumstances change, we can help you evaluate your coverage and enroll you in a new plan, if necessary. Guaranteed issue This term means that a health insurance company can t refuse to insure an applicant because of preexisting medical conditions. Therefore, you can select any health plan available to you and your family through Via Benefits, and you will not be denied coverage due to health status, age, gender, or other factors that might predict the use of health services. 8 Call us

9 Evaluating Your Health Plan Options We can help you evaluate your health plan options in a number of ways: you can go online, you can call us, or you can do both. To make the most of your time, we recommend that you first go online to view the plans available to you and your family. This can help you prepare for your call to enroll and reduce the time you spend on the phone. You have nothing to lose by evaluating alternative health plans your information is kept private and there are no pushy sales people. Go online Our easy-to-use tools help you find, compare and select plans. Should you need help while searching online, simply call us. Getting started Before you start searching for plans, you ll need to create an account. Create an account online Creating an online account is quick and easy. Simply go to the Via Benefits website listed at the bottom of this page, and select Create an Account. Enter the requested information so we can confirm your identity, and you re on your way. Tell us about your household Get started by clicking the Household Info button. Giving us a few details about the members of your household for whom you would like health coverage will help us find the plans that fit your needs. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 9

10 Online tools The following tools are also available to you. Tax credit estimation Before shopping for plans, you ll be asked to enter your estimated annual household income to identify whether you may qualify for a tax credit to lower your costs. There are several factors that determine whether you qualify, including income level, number of household members, and whether you have access to health insurance through your spouse or employer. We recommend speaking with one of our licensed benefit advisors if you have questions. Shop & Compare The Shop & Compare function allows you to search for plans available in your area and sort them by price, plan type, insurance company and other factors. You can compare plans side by side to understand the differences and review the details of the plans that interest you. Plan summaries All plans offered in our marketplace provide a summary of benefits online simply select View Details in the plan description that appears in your search results. Get help with questions Select the Help Center or Need Help? buttons to get information on a number of topics, including plans available to you, how to reduce your costs, and enrollment. You can also access these help topics and frequently asked questions from the home page that is shown after you ve logged into your account. 10 Call us

Online enrollment Many plans allow you to complete your enrollment online. To enroll, add the plan to your cart and complete the instructions for enrollment.

11 Online enrollment Many plans allow you to complete your enrollment online. To enroll, add the plan to your cart and complete the instructions for enrollment. If a plan doesn t allow you to enroll online, simply make a note of the plan that interests you, and schedule a call with a licensed benefit advisor to complete your enrollment. If you have questions while enrolling online, call us at the number printed on page 2 and we will help. Security and privacy Our website is secure, and we guard your privacy. Via Benefits is meticulous in all matters regarding information security and the protection of data as mandated by strict compliance guidelines. We constantly monitor our systems to safeguard your information. All information on our site is secure and is subject to HIPAA (federal data privacy) regulations. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 11

12 Call us When you get support over the phone, our licensed benefit advisors will help you as much as needed, and can walk you through the evaluation and selection process. Remember, all interactions with Via Benefits representatives are free, with no obligation. Scheduling a call to enroll If you choose to enroll over the phone, we recommend that you schedule your call by either going online or contacting us by phone. Scheduling a call allows us to make sure that a benefit advisor who is licensed in your state is available to take your call. It also allows you to dedicate time to evaluating plans, which can take up to 90 minutes. When you call to schedule your enrollment appointment, our automated system will ask you a few questions. You ll need to provide your ZIP code and the last four digits of your Social Security number, so we can verify you in our system based on the data provided by your employer. You ll then be connected with a Via Benefits representative who will collect the personal information needed for your call and schedule your appointment. The Via Benefits representative will provide you with the toll-free phone number, and a confirmed date and time. Please be aware that only licensed benefit advisors may speak to you about health plans. To help reduce the time you spend on the phone with us, we recommend that you first visit the Via Benefits website to view the plans available to you and your family. 12 Call us

What to expect during your call When you talk with a licensed benefit advisor, he or she will ask for information about your income and health care needs.

13 What to expect during your call When you talk with a licensed benefit advisor, he or she will ask for information about your income and health care needs. This information is essential to help you find plans that fit your needs and budget. You can help make the most of the call and prepare in advance by answering the following questions: Is there a type of plan that interests you? If so, why? Do you have any medical conditions or upcoming treatments? How many doctors or specialists do you see and how often? Is it important for you to keep your current doctors? What medications do you take? Before discussing plans, your licensed benefit advisor will work with you to see if you qualify for a tax credit, which can make your coverage more affordable. In order to do so, we ll need to obtain your estimated household income. If you filed an income tax return last year, you can base your estimated income on your household s adjusted gross income while taking into account any expected changes over the next year. Please be assured, your information is kept private. We will share it only as required by law to help you evaluate health plan options. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 13

14 Overview of Plans Available Through Via Benefits Via Benefits offers a range of quality plans, both from the public marketplace and directly from private insurance companies. Types of health plans Health plans are categorized into different levels based on how much you pay for premiums and out-of-pocket health care costs. The following chart describes the differences between the five plan levels: Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Plan level Average Percentage of Health Care Costs Covered (can be more or less) Monthly Premiums (up-front costs) Potential Out-of-pocket Costs (costs you pay when you need care) Catastrophic 50% Lower Higher Bronze 60% Silver 70% Gold 80% Platinum 90% Higher Lower Generally, a plan that pays less of your out-of-pocket health care expenses will have a lower monthly premium, while a plan that pays more of your expenses will have a higher monthly premium. For example, Bronze plans have low monthly premiums, but there is a catch they also have higher out-of-pocket costs when you get medical care. Bronze plans may be good for people who are healthy and don t need to see the doctor often. To find a plan that works for you, you ll want to estimate the amount of care you and your family will likely need next year. 14 Call us

15 Within these categories, you have a variety of plans to choose from, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Point of Service (POS) plans. Please note that although there are a variety of plan types, all plans provide the same set of essential health benefits as required by law. Tax credit qualification You may qualify for a tax credit, which can be used to lower the monthly cost of your plan. The credit is based on your income level, family size, and coverage available to you through your spouse or employer. If you have questions, we recommend speaking to a licensed benefit advisor. Out-of-pocket costs The amount you pay for health care services not reimbursed by insurance. This amount includes deductibles, copayments and coinsurance for covered services. Premiums are not counted as out-of-pocket costs, nor are costs related to out-of-network providers and noncovered services. Catastrophic coverage Low-premium, high-deductible plans that don t cover prescription drugs, regular doctor visits, immunizations or checkups. These plans are available to people who are 30 and younger. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 15

16 Benefits The health care items or services covered under a health plan (for example, doctor visits, prescriptions, surgeries, and more). Essential health benefits By law, health plans must include a minimum set of benefits from at least 10 general categories of health services, including emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and preventive and wellness services. Enrollment If you choose a plan through Via Benefits, we will work with you to enroll you in a plan. This will not only make the enrollment process easier for you, but will also save you time and ensure that your application is accurate and complete. There are two ways to enroll in a plan over the phone or online. Enrolling over the phone When you schedule a call to enroll with a licensed benefit advisor, you can review your plan options and enroll over the phone. We recommend going to the Via Benefits website to create an account and preview the plans available to you and your family before your call. This will reduce the time you spend on the phone. You should note any plans that interest you and questions you may have, so you can discuss them during your call. For directions on creating an account and previewing plans on Via Benefits, see page Call us

During your call we may need to collect additional information to complete your enrollment application. Even if you added this information to your online account, we will need to confirm its accuracy.

17 During your call we may need to collect additional information to complete your enrollment application. Even if you added this information to your online account, we will need to confirm its accuracy. Please have the following information ready for your call. Social Security numbers for all family members Employer and income information for everyone in the family (from pay stubs or W-2 tax forms) Any current health care coverage policy numbers for family members A list of prescriptions (including dosage and frequency) Names of doctors or hospitals you or your family will want to continue to see Planned visits and procedures in the coming year Enroll online Enrolling online is a quick and easy way to find a plan for you and your family. To enroll, add the plan you ve chosen to your cart and complete the instructions for enrollment. If a plan doesn t allow you to enroll online, simply make a note of the plan that interests you, and schedule a call to complete your enrollment with one of our licensed benefit advisors over the phone. If you have questions while enrolling online, call us at the number listed on page 2, and we can walk you through the process. Please note that some insurers may require payment of a first month s premium during the application process. Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 17

18 After enrollment As long as you stay enrolled in a plan through Via Benefits, we ll continue to be your advocate and help you as needed. If you move, have a baby, your marital status changes, or simply have a question call us and we will help. We can also assist in the future should you have any issues with your insurance company or questions about your coverage choices. Insurance company communications After you enroll in a plan, you ll receive mailings, phone calls, or s directly from your health insurance company. The insurance company may require that you respond to these communications and pay your first month s premium before it issues your new policy. If you have questions about how to respond to these communications or requests, call us and we will help. After the insurance company accepts your application and receives your payment, it will mail your identification cards to you. These cards may take six to eight weeks to arrive. However, your coverage will begin on the policy s effective date, not the date your insurance card arrives. IMPORTANT! Due to legal requirements, you may have to confirm some information multiple times and listen to recorded messages specific to the coverage in which you re enrolling. Most people complete their enrollment in one call. We ll never rush you through the process. Please note that an enrollment call can take up to 90 minutes. Some people prefer to complete their enrollment over several shorter calls. 18 Call us

19 We Look Forward to Serving You! Go online: Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel Contact us by Phone: (TTY: 711) Hours: Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time Go online. Marketplace.ViaBenefits.com/bechtel 19

Contents 2004 2018 Towers Watson. All Rights Reserved. The information offered on our website and provided in this mailing is believed to be true and correct.

20 Contents Towers Watson. All Rights Reserved. The information offered on our website and provided in this mailing is believed to be true and correct. Extend Insurance Services, LLC* is Towers Watson s licensed insurance agency. Extend Insurance Services, LLC is a Utah resident insurance agency (Utah License No ) and licensed as a nonresident insurance agency or otherwise authorized to transact business as an insurance agency in all states and the District of Columbia. Extend Insurance Services, LLC represents and receives payment of commissions from the insurance companies for which Extend Insurance Services, LLC is an agent and sells insurance products and services, and may receive other performance-based compensation for its sale of the insurance products and services provided to you. Insurance rates for the insurance products and services offered by Extend Insurance Services, LLC are subject to change. All insurance products and services offered by Extend Insurance Services, LLC may not be available in all states. It is your responsibility to enroll for coverage during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. *Extend Insurance Services, LLC is changing its d/b/a from Towers Watson s OneExchange to Via Benefits Insurance Services

2018 Advantage Guide. Experience Choice With Via Benefits

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