Health Insurance Covers 100 Percent of Preventive Care….But What Is Preventive Care?

Caring male pediatrician talks with baby boy at free clinic
IBX is often out in the community meeting people at health clinics, community fairs, seminars, festivals, YMCAs, and many more places throughout the region. By now, many consumers know that health insurance plans are required by law to cover 100 percent of the costs for preventive care. However, a question we often hear is, “What is preventive care?” Preventive care is the care you receive to prevent illnesses or diseases....
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In-Network vs Out-of-Network: What Does It Mean?

A lot of things can happen to put you in the market for a new doctor. Maybe you’ve moved to a new town and need to find a pediatrician for your kids’ well-visits. Or your primary care physician (PCP) recommends you follow-up with a specialist. Or you’ve turned 50 and are due to get your first colonoscopy....
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Eligible for a Tax Credit or Subsidy to Help Pay for Health Insurance?

If you’re shopping for an individual or family health plan on the Marketplace, you don’t want to pay more than you have to. Did you know you may be eligible for a health care premium tax credit from the federal government to help pay your monthly premium or out-of-pocket costs?

What Is a Tax Credit/Health Insurance Subsidy?

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Changing Your Medicare Plan

Senior on computer
Most health care plans offer one-year terms, and Medicare plans are no different. There are lots of reasons why you, as a Medicare beneficiary, might need to change plans: Maybe your health care needs have changed, and you need benefits not offered by your current plan. Some specialists, therapies, or prescription drugs are probably excluded from your plan,...
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Why You Need Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage

Older gentleman with glasses
One of the things I hear often from beneficiaries is that they’re concerned to find out that Original Medicare does not pay for everything — especially “extras” like vision, dental, and hearing coverage. If you’re transitioning from employer-provided health care to Medicare, you’ve probably had vision, dental, and hearing benefits all along. Since Medicare doesn’t cover them,...
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Enroll Now for an Affordable 2019 Health Insurance Plan

Woman and man on computer
Open Enrollment for 2019 individual and family health insurance plans starts on November 1, 2018, and ends December 15, 2018. Beginning November 1, you can apply for a new health insurance plan, change your health plan type, or make updates to your existing health plan, such as adding dependents. Any new plans or changes you make by December 15 will go into effect on January 1,...
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Considering Medicare Advantage? Get the Facts

A doctor talking to an older adult about her Medicare Plan
You might have heard Medicare Advantage plans discussed as an alternative to “original” Medicare, but did you know that these plans have been around, in some form, since the very beginning of Medicare? Medicare Advantage plans are part of a program that allows private insurers to provide Medicare benefits to enrollees on behalf of the federal Medicare program....
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Family Health Insurance: Taking Care of Those Who Depend on You

Family of 4
You would probably go to great lengths to protect your family, and enrolling in family health insurance is one of the most important ways to do just that. Here are five good reasons to keep your family covered:

1. Health insurance helps keep your family healthy

Health care isn’t just about taking care of illnesses and injuries when they arise....
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How does Independence Blue Cross decide which medications to cover?

Doctor and patient rx
Health insurance companies maintain a list of covered prescription medications. This list is called a formulary, and it is an important tool for you and your doctor. It’s the master list of all the generic and brand-name drugs for which plan members receive benefits, and can help members and providers choose medications that will be most cost-effective....
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