John Yeatman Insurance

One way health individuals and families in traditional insurance plans can save both on premiums and taxes is enrolling in an HSA-qualified plan. Encourage your representatives in Congress to support allowing health-sharing members to participate in health saving accounts (HSAs)! Currently these HSA-qualified plans do not allow any reimbursement of services or medications until the high deductible is met. This announcement explains what President Trump's administration might do to enhance future HSA-qualified plans. This may include allowing some primary care and basic medications to be covered immediately. If so, I believe more people will give these plans a better look, especially if they are priced better than they are today.

I get this question often...this article summarizes the key issues nicely. (Thanks, Margaret, for letting me know the prior link was broken!)

Fortunately, CA has passed laws on this issue already, especially in Emergency Room cases. Now one can get faster results when challenging unexpected invoices. However, the thesis of this article is ask & verify always! Do not ever assume staff at doctor's offices are referring or acting in your best interest re: verifying providers are in-network with your specific plan. Know the specific name of your provider network and be ready to search online (even while in a waiting ...or exam room) to verify BEFORE receiving services...especially if you are enrolled in a HMO plan that requires all referrals to be approved by your primary care physician (PCP). https://www.bostonglobe.com//dKHCsHYVfF35QtKido/story.html https://www.bostonglobe.com//dKHCsHYVfF35QtKido/story.html

Aetna Medicare Members get an ExtraCare Health Card!! With this card, Aetna Medicare members can get 20% off on CVS brand health products like vitamins, cold remedies and other over-the-counter supplies. NOTE: The card does not offer discounts on prescription drugs. The ExtraCare Health Card is free, and members are under no obligation to use it. If members choose to use it, the 20% discount will be activated when used during a purchase. ... What you need to know All 2019 Aetna Medicare members should have received their ExtraCare Health Card in the mail. The cards will be mailed to new members as they enroll on a monthly basis. If members already have an ExtraCare card, they can call CVS Pharmacy at 1-800-SHOP-CVS (1-800-746-7287) to have their reward points transferred to their new card. Or, they can go to www.cvs.com/extracarehealth. If a member needs a replacement... Aetna Medicare members can call 1-800-SHOP-CVS (1-800-746-7287) if they need a new card mailed to them. They'll just need to answer a few questions and provide their name and Aetna member ID number. Then, CVS will resend a card to them member.

Be careful what you vote for!

We are all dealing with this epidemic...be sure to put both of my (619) & (760) phone numbers in your phone so you know I am trying to you reach you!

Here's a first glance at what we might expect in premiums come 2019.

World Hepatitis Day takes place every year on July 28. It is one of only four disease-specific awareness days endorsed by the World Health Organization. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, caused by a virus. There are five main hepatitis viruses: types A, B, C, D and E. Of these five, hepatitis B and C are life-threatening, infectious diseases that can cause serious liver damage and cancer, resulting in 1.3 million deaths every year. In the United States alone, nearly... 5 million people are estimated to be infected with hepatitis B or C. However, 90 percent of people with hepatitis B and 80 percent of people with hepatitis C are unaware they have the disease. This creates the possibility for millions of people to develop fatal liver cancer or unknowingly spread the infection to others. The hepatitis B and C viruses are commonly contracted by receiving blood transfusions; during childbirth from mother to infant; sharing razors or toothbrushes; and tattooing or body piercing done without adequately sterilized equipment. The hepatitis B virus can also be spread through having unprotected sex with an infected person. If you think you could be at risk for either hepatitis B or C, it is important to get tested. If you are unsure of your status, talk to your primary care physician (PCP). The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. For the latest information on hepatitis across the globe, the World Hepatitis Alliance offers additional information on their website.

Good news about HSAs (and FSAs). Congress is working on improving/explanding these tax-saving programs to the consumer's benefit. Those most interested in this article may be those who: * were on the borderline in choosing a high-deductible plan to qualify because there were no first dollar benefits until the deductible was met. Allowing carriers more flexibility with this is on the table. * are members of a healthhsharing program. Healthshare members may be able to open HS...A accounts in the future. There's a lot we don't know yet about where health care is heading next year and the year after, but it will start to come in fast from hereon.

If you can't find your Form 1095-A from Covered CA...follow the instructions from CovCA or let me know. If you purchased your health plan direct with the carrier (e.g., not via CovCA), call the number on your insurance card to request a replacement copy.