Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to tackle a high-priority decision—your health insurance coverage. Open Enrollment for 2016 qualified health plans (major medical) began on November 1, 2015 and ends on January 31, 2016.
Why Is Open Enrollment Important?
Once Open Enrollment ends, you won’t be able to enroll in a health plan again until November 2016, unless you experience a “qualifying life event,” such as job loss, divorce, the birth of a child, relocation, etc. Additionally, if you don’t have a qualified health plan, you could be subject to the federal tax penalty.
Simplifying a Complex Decision
If you’re like most people, the thought of considering your health insurance options is about as appealing as preparing your taxes. That’s where members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) have a significant advantage, by tapping into the resources available via REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace, a partner in NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program.
“The online Marketplace makes health insurance easy to understand and buy,” explains Shannon Kennedy, president of SASid, Inc., administrator of REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace. “Only NAR members can access the private health insurance exchange, an easy-to-use mini-site within RealtorsInsuranceMarketplace.com where you can obtain quotes and compare the best plans and products from top-rated insurance carriers, and then complete your purchase online.”
Complimentary Consultations
For personal help, members can take advantage of complimentary phone consultations with licensed benefit specialists. “If you need assistance, or want to learn about your options, our representatives will guide you through the exchange, even if you need help navigating the public exchange,” explains Jamie Vie, team leader/product support at SASid. “This is a service offered exclusively to NAR members.”
Broker Resources
The Marketplace includes resources for brokers and association executives—information you’ll want to share with your agents to help them better understand Open Enrollment and their options. Visit RealtorsInsuranceMarketplace.com/ae.
More than Major Medical
As you consider your options during Open Enrollment, it’s important to understand how supplemental health plans might assist in your decision-making.
Supplemental Health Plans
Supplemental plans are designed to be combined with a high-deductible major medical plan as part of an overall cost-savings strategy; they can help cover some of the healthcare costs that your high-deductible plan may not cover.
Supplemental plans now available* through the Marketplace include an Accident Deductible Protection plan (which helps pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred through an accident) and REALTORS® Core Health Insurance, which provides supplementary coverage for everyday healthcare needs. Also available is a brand-new telehealth service plan, Members TeleHealth, which provides easy access to doctors via telephone, smartphone app, Web chat, and/or email for a low monthly rate without needing to bill your insurance.
Additional Marketplace plans include REALTORS® Dental Insurance, SMART Short Term health insurance, and Drug Card America, a prescription drug discount card.
Access ALL Your Benefits
REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace is just one suite of services offered through the REALTOR Benefits® Program, the official member benefits resource that connects members with discounts and special offers on products and services just for REALTORS®. To learn more, visit REALTOR.org/RealtorBenefits.
*Plan eligibilities vary due to state availability and age restrictions. See the Marketplace site for details.
Bob Goldberg is senior vice president, Marketing & Business Development, the National Association of REALTORS®.
For more information, visit www.realtor.org.
