Health Insurance Basics | VA Employee Benefits Partners

Does a Health Plan Typically Pay for Services from Any Doctor? Not always. Some types of plans encourage or require consumers to get care from a specific set of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical service providers who have entered into contracts with the plan to provide items and services at a negotiated rate. The … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 3 | Virginia Benefits Team

Insurance Costs Consumers typically pay the following types of costs when they have insurance. Premium: The premium is an amount of money a consumer pays for a health insurance plan. The consumer and/or their employer usually make this payment bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The premium must be paid regardless of how many services, if … Continued

Health Insurance Basics: Part 1 | VA Employee Benefits Partners

What is Health Insurance and Why is it Important? Health insurance is a legal entitlement to payment or reimbursement for your health care costs, generally under a contract with a health insurance company. Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have an accident or sickness. For example, health insurance may help to pay … Continued

Benefits 101: Premiums, Deductibles, Copays, and Out-of-Pocket Maximums | VA Employee Benefits Partners

Not understanding benefits terminology is near the top of the list of ways that open enrollment and benefits selection can stress you out.  Open enrollment is coming quickly and soon you will be talking about benefit options. The world of benefits and insurance can be confusing. In-network, out-of-network, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance? What? Let us … Continued

Healthcare 101: Back to Basics | Virginia Employee Benefits Partners

Getting sick can be expensive.  Even minor illnesses and injuries can be very costly to diagnose and treat.  Health care coverage helps you get the care you need and protects you and your family financially if you get sick or injured. We’re breaking down the health insurance basics.  Because, when you understand it, you’re more … Continued

How to Make the Most Out of Open Enrollment | Virginia Benefits Team

Choosing the right benefits during open-enrollment season is so important and can help save money. It can also give individuals and families broader support with their health. Benefits like medical coverage are particularly important with high inflation having such a big impact on people’s budgets. A survey by UnitedHealthcare found that nearly 40% of employees … Continued

Transparency in Health Coverage | Virginia Benefits Partners

New transparency in coverage requirements apply to group health plans and health insurers in the individual and group markets. These rules require plans and issuers to disclose certain price and cost information to participants, beneficiaries and enrollees. These provisions only apply to non-grandfathered coverage, including both insured and self-insured group health plan sponsors. The requirements … Continued

Understanding Your EOB | VA Benefits Agents

Let’s say that you visited the doctor and you are wondering how much that visit is going to cost.  A short while later, you receive something in the mail that looks like a bill – and even says “amount you owe” at the bottom.  However, it doesn’t have a return envelope or tear-off portion for … Continued