Our February 2021 Newsletter is here!
News from the Health Insurance World February 8, 2021 Welcome to our February Newsletter. We hope this finds you well! We have several important updates to share with you including information on Special Enrollment Periods, Covid-19 treatments and vaccines, as well as a few Wellness ideas as we move into Spring. We’ve also updated our website, we hope you like it!
Have any questions, comments, or concerns? We want to hear from you. We’re always here to help.
Special Enrollment Options While the Annual enrollment periods have ended, there may still be options to change or add coverage for both individual and Medicare plans. If you would like to review your coverage, we can go over your situation and see what options may be available for you. In addition to medical coverage, there are also vision and dental options that can be added year round.
Covered California Enrollment: Covered California has several SEP options available for people who may still need to enroll. From Covered CA:
Covered California announced today that effective Feb. 1, anyone uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through Covered California can sign up through May 15. In this special enrollment period, in addition to plans available through the Covered CA marketplace, there may be options available off exchange including individual plans direct with companies or Medi-cal.
There are also subsidies available through the marketplace. If you or a family member has experienced a change or needs to get coverage, we can review all of your options.
Covid-19 Updates If you are concerned that you or a family member is sick or has been exposed to Covid-19, contact your doctor or medical group. If it’s an emergency call 911. When going out, please follow all masking and social distancing guidelines.
Covid-9 Treatment: Many health plans are waiving cost- sharing for covered services related to treatment of Covid-19. This can include costs from doctors, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals. Some may also cover testing and vaccinations as they become available at no cost. Check with your health plan to see what's covered. As guidance is evolving, it's important to stay up to date with your health plan and know your coverage options.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Many plans have expanded their telehealth options and this can include mental health visits as well as your regular doctor appointment. Depending on your plan, you can always contact your member services to explore your options.
Covid-19 Vaccines: We are receiving many inquiries about how you can get your Covid-19 vaccine.
At this point in time, the guidance we are receiving from our insurance partners is that the best route is to first check with your primary doctor or medical group. If they can’t assist you, you can check with the County of San Diego or even possibly your city.
Here’s a link to the County Site with information on how to get your vaccine. You will need to show eligibility proof and sign up for an appointment online. Details are on the above website.
County of San Diego: From their website: “Vaccinations are being provided to priority groups based on available federal and state guidance and recommendations from the County of San Diego." Effective 01/23/21, and until further notice from the County Public Health Officer, the County of San Diego is vaccinating only people who live or work in San Diego County and are in the following groups: ●Healthcare workers and all others in Phase 1A, Tiers 1-3
●Persons aged 65 years old and above in Phase 1B, Tier 1
Wellness It’s important to not forget to take care of ourselves. Many health plans include wellness benefits at low or no cost such as home fitness kits and videos, brain games, and tips for healthy lifestyle choices. You can find out more by calling your member services or by signing up for an online account with your health plan.
Living in Southern California, we have access to many outdoor places. San Diego has numerous hiking trails in addition to our beautiful beaches. As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to go out for a walk. Just don't forget your mask!
There are also hobbies to explore at home. Your local senior center may have book or puzzle exchanges available for you. Some other fun activities we've explored over the last year have included cooking, bread making, gardening, and paint by numbers!
We hope this information is helpful to you. Take care and above all, Stay Safe!