Menu

IMK

Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance

Home » Archives for Kevin Knauss » Page 22

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.

post

Natural Bridges Tunnels and Tubing

By Leave a Comment

From the main exit, where the main trail ends, I walked the short distance to the entrance or opening where Coyote Creek enters. The entrance is more spectacular than the exit. The exit opening is around eight feet in height. The entrance is at least 30 feet and the interior soars even higher. It is this section that most resembles a gothic cathedral. At the entrance, there are several large bedrock mortars, six inches in width and depth that indicate Native Americans were present long before the Europeans arrived.

post

Covered California Unemployment Subsidy Boost

By Leave a Comment

Covered California will begin processing the extra subsidy increase for applications that indicate unemployment benefits on June 21, 2021. The unemployment insurance benefit could have been for just one week in January. The household income will be taken down to 138.1 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of the income estimated by the consumer. The 138.1 percent income level will prevent adults from being automatically determined eligible for Medi-Cal. The new subsidy will be based on the lower income and applied to the health insurance premium.

post

Is Covered California Killing Small Group Plans?

By Leave a Comment

Based on the real-world comparisons I’ve done for individuals and families in small group plans, most would benefit from enrolling in Covered California. Anecdotally, I’ve talked to several employers who either have or are considering terminating their group coverage.

post

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Comparison Confusion

By Leave a Comment

In California there are 32 different Part D plans offered by 11 different insurance companies. One plan sponsor offers six different plans. The only thing that differentiates these plans at first glance are the marketing names like Basic, Choice, Classic, Enhanced, Plus, Saver, Secure, and Value. These monikers are marketing gimmicks and tell the Medicare beneficiary nothing about the benefits of the plan.

post

To Change Your Covered California Plan, Don’t Terminate Existing Health Insurance

By Leave a Comment

If you disenroll from your Covered California health plan and then try to enroll in a new plan, the system won’t give you the Advance Premium Tax Credit subsidy to lower the monthly premium. That is why it is crucial to use the change plan process in the Covered California system.

post

Should You Select A Covered California Enhanced Silver Plan?

By Leave a Comment

You don’t have to qualify for a Silver 94 to get a great deal. A 57-year-old individual with an estimated income of $30,000 in Nevada County will receive a subsidy large enough to make the lowest cost Silver plan from Anthem Blue Cross $1, the same as all the Bronze plans. Even the Blue Shield PPO Silver 73 at $85.11 is a better value than either the Gold or Platinum plans offered.

post

Is Folsom Lake Artificially Low To Help El Dorado Hills Irrigation?

By Leave a Comment

The conspiracy theories that the Bureau of Reclamation is keeping the lake low is based on an incomplete analysis of water discharges for power generation. At first glance, the discharge numbers – water being released from Folsom Lake – is greater than the inflow. The erroneous conclusion is that discharge is to keep the lake low. The reality is that there are numerous reasons why the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing water for power generation greater than the inflows.

post

Has Your Child Been Kicked-Off Your Covered California Plan?

By Leave a Comment

What is most distressing to parents is that they are learning of the loss of coverage from their health plans, not Covered California. One account showed the child was still eligible for health insurance through Covered California through May, but the carrier had sent a notice of termination for April 30th.

post

App-Based Driver Proof of Health Insurance Form from Covered California

By Leave a Comment

The Proof of Coverage form must be submitted by the app-based driver, or other gig worker entitled to the health insurance stipend, in order to receive the stipend from the company. Covered California has done a great job of putting an easy link on top of the member’s home page. With one click, the most recent quarter’s Proof of Coverage form is generated in a PDF document.

post

MAGI Medi-Cal Income Budget Period Calculation Changes

By Leave a Comment

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the agency that manages the county based Medi-Cal system, has worked, and struggled, to efficiently determine MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility from the income section of the Covered California application. In a February 19, 2021, All County Welfare Directors letter, No. 21-04, DHCS outlined some of the changes to Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) calculations for MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility determinations.

Spam prevention powered by Akismet