Today, in accordance with the Executive Order signed by President Biden, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing that the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Health Insurance Marketplace® will officially be available to consumers in the 36 states that use the HealthCare.gov platform on Monday, February 15, and will continue through Saturday, May 15. At least 13 States plus the District of Columbia, which operate their own Marketplace platforms, have decided to offer a similar opportunity.

"President Biden was clear: we need to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and give more Americans access to health care, especially during this pandemic, which has further demonstrated the importance of having the right coverage. This Special Enrollment Period will give Americans who need affordable, quality health insurance an opportunity to get covered, and we encourage folks to head to HealthCare.gov starting on Monday to explore their options," said HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran.

To read the press release, visit: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/02/12/2021-special-enrollment-period-marketplace-coverage-starts-healthcaregov.html

*Article provided by email received by Marketplace@healthcare.gov on 02/12/21 at 11:16 am

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th and we all want to celebrate the Mothers in our lives.  Whether it's your own Mom, Wife, Girlfriend, Fiancee, Sister..well you get it.  Shopping can be nearly impossible during this time, depending on where you're located.  If you need last minute finds, check out our new client, Real Moms of Volleyball at www.realmomsofvolleyball.com.  You can shop the latest trends, while supporting a Mom:
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A meal on us to say thanks to truckers.

As we face the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we count on the hundreds of thousands of truckers working behind the scenes to deliver necessities like food, water and other goods to our local grocery stores, retailers or distribution centers.

To thank these truckers—and their families--for the sacrifices they’re making, we’re offering them a $50 promo code to apply toward a meal from Uber Eats.*

On April 28, we’ll email a unique promo code to Progressive for-hire trucking customers with a 200-mile radius of operation or higher via the email address you provided for that customer. We’re encouraging them to take advantage of this promo code themselves, or to forward it to their family. No action is required by you, but you are welcome to raise awareness of this offer with your eligible for-hire trucking customers.

We're here to help. 

If any of our customers need assistance during these uncertain times, please call us so we can walk through options that best fit their unique and changing needs. Our customer service representatives are available 24/7 at 877-776-2436. 
Thank you for partnering with Progressive Commercial. 

*  Offer is limited to one order per company and principal garaging state, while supplies last. Taxes and a Service Fee still apply. A Delivery Fee and a Small Order Fee may apply where applicable. Additional terms may apply. Terms subject to change. See Uber Eats app for details and location availability. An active for-hire trucker that is not insured with Progressive may be eligible for a promotion code. You may call our customer service line to learn more. 

#BACCHUSINSURANCEGROUP #TRUCKERAPPRECIATION #UBEREATS #ALONETOGETHER

A free meal to say thanks to truckers.
While there is uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, there are many essential businesses that are helping to ensure Americans still have access to necessities like food, water and other goods. This is only possible because of the hundreds of thousands of truckers working behind the scenes to deliver these items to our local grocery stores, retailers or distribution centers. 
We want to recognize truckers who spend days or weeks out on the road to keep America’s freight moving at a time when so many of us have hit a standstill.
As a small gesture of thanks, we’ve set up a program with Uber Eats to offer truckers a $20 promo code for a free meal. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be emailing a unique promo code to Progressive for-hire trucking customers with a 200-mile radius of operation or higher via the email address you provided for that customer, along with our thanks.*
* Offer is limited to one order per company and principal garaging state. Taxes and a Service Fee still apply. A Delivery Fee and a Small Order Fee may apply where applicable. Terms subject to change. See Uber Eats app for details and location availability. An active for-hire trucker that is not insured with Progressive may be eligible for a promotion code. You may call our customer service line to learn more. 

#ProgressiveCommercial #COVID19 #StayHome #UBEREATS

​The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides for a Special Election Period (SEP) for beneficiaries impacted by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration.

This SEP is for Medicare beneficiaries who were prevented from submitting a Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) or Prescription Drug (PDP) plan enrollment request during another valid election period due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency (declared on March 13, 2020). This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections. This SEP applies to beneficiaries who reside in all U.S. states and includes all Anthem brands and affiliates.

In addition, the SEP is available to those individuals who rely on help from friends or family members when making healthcare decisions and those individuals were impacted by the State of Emergency. The SEP is available from the start of the incident period and continues for four full calendar months thereafter, beginning January 20, 2020, and ending May 31, 2020.

Enrollments are effective the first of the month after the plan receives the enrollment request. Only those beneficiaries who did not make an election during another eligible enrollment period are eligible for this SEP. An individual can use this SEP one time for each election period they missed.

For example, if an existing MA/MAPD member intended to, but did not make a plan election during their Open Enrollment Period (OEP) due to the state of emergency, they would be eligible to use this SEP one time between April 1 and May 31, 2020.

If the beneficiary knows what plan they want to select, they can call the plan or their broker/agent directly to enroll.

To review up-to-date information, you may go to the FEMA Disaster Declarations website. This Information is updated at least weekly.

Many Insurers are allowing Billing Extensions during the "Safer at Home" period, due to the COVID-19.  State Auto Insurance Company has shared the following information with Bacchus Insurance Group, as of 03/30/2020:

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented action within communities across the country. These actions have been taken for the sake of our collective health and safety. We understand these actions may create financial hardship for many customers. Due to this situation, Foremost® is extending a grace period for late payments until May 1, 2020. If a customer’s payment is late during this time, we will send a reminder bill with an extended due date (rather than a cancellation notice for non-payment). This process will happen automatically; there is no need for you or your customers to call us to request the extension. 

All other billing remains unchanged, with bills going out with their regular due dates. We will continue to monitor this situation, and will update you as we make any additional changes to help customers maintain their insurance coverage.

It is important to note, that these premiums are not being waved, but instead are being given an extended Grace Period.  I would recommend all clients continue to pay their premiums, if able to do so.  As a Business Owner, I know that we are often faced with many challenges on a day-by-day basis.  With this in mind, if we can keep some normality in areas we can control, let's do it.  

In addition to State Auto, there are many other carriers who are extending their Grace Periods.  If you are a client with BIG and would like more information, please feel free to contact us.  

At Bacchus Insurance Group (BIG), we're BIG on Customer Service!

As of November 1, 2019, you can apply for new 2020 health insurance, or renew, change, or update your 2019 health plan for 2020. You have until Sunday, December 15 to make this decision.  After this date, you can enroll or change only with a Special Enrollment Period.  Coverage under plans sold during Open Enrollment starts January 1, 2020.  Since carriers change counties they serve, provider networks and rates frequently, we suggest working with an agent who specializes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Bacchus Insurance Group (BIG) has received the "Circle of Champions" recognition from CMS for our work with ACA.  Contact us at 414-716-6274 today to discuss your options!

I remember how nervous I was in July, 1998 when I scheduled my exam to take my health and accident insurance licensing exam.  I wondered if the classroom time spent going over practice tests would help.  Well, it's pretty obvious they did!  I passed on the first try and have held my insurance license since that time. 

During that time, I was working with a Corporate 500 company and sold individual health and dental insurance plans.  I was a Telephone Sales Representative and spoke with hundreds of prospects a week about their insurance/dental options.  We covered deductibles, coinsurance, co-pays, prescriptions, in-networks, lifetime maximums, maternity care, you name it. 

Health Insurance is such a vital factor in overall health and financial planning.  An unexpected medical experience can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Not to mention the health conditions that can arise or worsen due to lack of medical attention.  Health Insurance is there for us when we have a newborn, receive chemotherapy, mammogram, ambulance and flu shots, among other things.  I have always enjoyed speaking with my clients and being able to offer them options to assist in their health and well being.

I must say, the conversation in this age of Affordable Care Act (ACA), Obamacare, Trumpcare, Repeal & Replace has changed all of that!  I have delivered more 50%+ renewal increases in this last couple of weeks than I care to mention.  I sit down with clients and am forced to share premiums with them that I don't believe I could afford.  This may be the first time in my 19 years that I am truly ashamed and embarrassed by this business.  The insurance industry has to do better in assuring that Americans have viable, affordable options for healthcare. 

Do you have questions about your health insurance options?  Click below to take the first steps: