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Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance

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Thoughts of Kevin Knauss

Posts by Kevin Knauss on a variety of topics: health insurance, history, hiking, politics, LGBTQ+, railroads, plus whatever piques my interest.

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Who is Bright HealthCare in Contra Costa County?

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There is a reasonable expectation that Bright HealthCare individual and family plans will fulfill all of their contractual obligations for paying claims and adhering to the member cost-sharing structure of the health plans. The weak spot for some health plans is the customer service department. An understaffed customer service unit can lead to long wait times on the phone or emails not being promptly returned. There can also be issues with prior authorization for medical procedures, durable medical equipment, and prescription medications.

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Hitting the Dental Insurance Jackpot

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Dental insurance is analogous to gambling. You sit in front of the slot machine, put in the quarters, pull the arm, and most of the time you win nothing. However, gambling is entertainment, so you had some fun. Occasionally, you hit the triple teeth and win your money back plus a little extra.

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Covered California 2022 Frequently Asked Questions

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The “California Premium Credit Program” is not an eligibility-based program. Starting plan year 2022, the $1 state premium credit will apply to both subsidized and unsubsidized Covered California QHP enrollees, including the catastrophic QHP enrollees but will exclude individuals in a dental-only plan.

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Mid Century Modern Home Bathroom Remodel

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Overall, the bathroom remodel does not scream mid-century modern. It is more comfortably modern with some warmth from the natural wood vanity. I think it will age well. If we sell the house, there is a tub for children to have their bath time, so the family aspect of the room is not lost.

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Blue Cross EPO Expands with Sutter for 2022

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The Sutter providers will mostly benefit counties where Blue Cross is expanding their coverage in the North Bay, East Bay, and Central Valley. A few counties in the Central Valley and most of Southern California will only be offered the Blue Cross HMO plans that do not include the Blue Card Program. Of course, Blue Cross offers additional EPO plans off-exchange, direct from Anthem, with a few extra plan designs that are not offered through Covered California.

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Competition Increases Health Insurance Premiums in Contra Costa County for 2022

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It is counterintuitive, but for 2022, increased competition in the health insurance market for Contra Costa County will increase the premiums for Covered California members in the region. How is this possible? The subsidies are based on the Second Lowest Cost Silver Plan. Bright HealthCare, a new health plan, will offer Silver plans in 2022 […]

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$1 Dollar Covered California Member Bonus for 2022

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The new 2022 California Premium Credit Program covers the cost of said rule so that anyone who had a $1 monthly charge, will now have a $0 premium for their health insurance. Of course, the credit could not apply just to people were being charge only $1, everyone must receive the special $1 dollar bonus.

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Unique Blue Shield Bronze Plan for 2022

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Many people want predictable copayments for routine services and are willing to accept a large deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amount for the rare and unexpected hospitalization. Blue Shield of California has come pretty close to designing such a plan with their 2022 Bronze 7500 HMO individual and family plan. Services with a set copayment and not subject to the medical deductible are:

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Covered California To Flip Consumers From Bronze to Silver

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I’m sure many consumers will welcome the passive switch from a Bronze plan to a Silver 94 without having to pay anything more for the health insurance. An equal number of individuals will be perturbed that Covered California assumes they can unilaterally make decisions about a person’s health insurance with no consent from the effected member.

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Dramatic Premium Increases for some Covered California Households in 2022

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This same couple, based on 2021 rates, would have had a monthly subsidy of $788.47. If the couple were enrolled in the second lowest cost Silver 94 plan at $2 per month in 2021 – with the removal of the unemployment benefit – their new monthly premium will be $566 in 2022, that is a 28,000 percent increase. Plus, they will revert to a standard Silver 70 plan with higher cost-sharing.

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