Q: How do I contact Baron & Associates, Inc.?

A: Baron & Associates Inc.

  (815)363-3366

  fax: (815)363-4013

Julianne@BaronandAssociatesInc.com

Becky@BaronandAssociatesInc.com

Q: If I already have a broker that handles our insurance, why should I give Baron & Associates, Inc. the opportunity to quote?

A: Baron & Associates, Inc. may show you other plans that your current broker may not show you. We could also market another type of insurance. We offer medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD), voluntary plans, etc.

Q: What can a smaller firm such as Baron & Associates offer me that a larger company cannot? 

A: Baron & Associates Inc. offers a more personal touch and 24/7 response to any problem or question that comes up....even on weekends when other larger companies would not be available to help you. 

Q: Since Baron & Associates, Inc. is a small company, will I get the same prices as a larger company?

A: All prices that Baron & Associates, Inc. receives will be the same quotes that you would receive from that larger company. It is based on your company information not ours. The quotes may even be less because there is no mark up from Baron & Associates, Inc. that you may get with larger companies.

FAQ's About Health Insurance and Affordable Care Act:

Q. What is health insurance? 

A. Health insurance is a contract with an insurance company, which agrees to pay some, or all, of your medical bills based on your "coverage," or the terms of your policy. In exchange, the insurer is paid a premium by the insured. Most Americans have private health insurance, either through their employer's group plan or by their own individual policy. Others are covered under public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Q. Why do I need health insurance? 

A. It's no secret that health care is expensive today. Regularly paying a set premium for health coverage assures that money will be available to defray the cost of everything from routine checkups to catastrophic medical bills. 

Q. What's the difference between a deductible, a copayment and coinsurance? 

A. All three are medical charges you must pay out of your own pocket, even if you have insurance. Your deductible is the initial amount you must pay each year for covered health services before your insurer will begin to pay. Plans may have separate individual and family deductibles and/or deductibles for separate services such as hospitalization. A copayment is a fixed amount you pay toward each medical service, such as $25 for an office visit. Coinsurance is a fixed percentage, rather than a flat amount, that you pay toward each service.

Q. What is the Affordable Care Act and why do we need it?

 A. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly known as Obamacare, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It includes reforms designed to make health insurance better, more affordable, rein in health costs and expand coverage among Americans. It also makes it illegal for insurers to set dollar limits on coverage, drop you if you get sick or charge more or deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Q. What is the Marketplace/Exchange?

A. The Marketplace is an online “shopping” website where individuals, families, and small business owners can compare health insurance plans that best fits their needs. Health plans that are sold on the Marketplace meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

Q. I've never shopped for health insurance before. How will the Marketplace help?

A. All private health insurance plans offered through the state marketplaces must offer the same set of "essential health benefits" as defined under the Affordable Care Act. These include, but are not limited to, hospitalization; emergency care; rehabilitative services; lab tests; prescription drugs; preventive care; maternity, newborn and pediatric care; and treatment for mental health disorders and substance abuse.

Q. Do I really have to buy health insurance?

A. No. There are no longer penalties for not having health insurance. However, it is a good idea to have health insurance since we don’t know what may happen to us in life. It is better to be covered so that you have options and don’t have to worry.

Q. I can't afford to buy health insurance. What should I do? 

A. Depending on your income, the Marketplace may be able to assist you in affording coverage. You may be eligible for lower-cost, subsidized coverage purchased through the Marketplace. Or, you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, aka CHIP. The Marketplace offers many different options such as higher deductible and/or out-of-pocket costs to lower your premium.

Q. I've had the same policy for years. Does health care reform affect my plan?

A. Some provisions of the Affordable Care Act do not apply to so-called grandfathered plans written before the law took effect. These include the freedom to choose your own doctor, preventive services at no additional cost, and the right to appeal if your insurer denies a claim. However, as with new policies, grandfathered plans are required to cover children up to age 26, provide a simple summary of coverage and costs, and cease any lifetime limits on benefits.

Q. Does the Affordable Care Act affect my employer's group plan?

A. Yes. For employer-based insurance it means: preventive services at no additional cost (unless you have an older, grandfathered plan); an end to lifetime/annual dollar limits and cancellation of coverage if you get sick; guaranteed coverage for your adult children until age 26; guaranteed coverage if you have a pre-existing condition; and the right to appeal a denied claim. If your employer's plan costs more than 9.5 percent of your income or doesn't meet the law's minimum coverage requirements, you might qualify for subsidized coverage on your state health marketplace, or exchange.

Q. How can I tell Marketplace plans apart?

A. Marketplace plans will be grouped into four "metal" categories, from less expensive bronze and silver coverage to the more expensive gold and platinum plans. If you are younger than 30, have a very low income or lost your insurance because your previous policy was canceled for not meeting Obamacare's new standards, the marketplaces also will offer high-deductible, lower-premium catastrophic coverage.

Q. I never shop online. Is it safe?

A. The new state marketplaces are designed to be secure and password protected. All health insurance policies offered through them have been approved by your state's department of insurance and certified by CMS. You'll need to fill out an online application and the site will determine if you qualify for premium discounts, reduced out-of-pocket costs, or coverage under Medicaid based on your income and family size.
 

Q. I'm on Medicare. Does the Affordable Care Act affect me?

A. In many ways, no. Medicare officials have been stressing to seniors that their benefits are not fundamentally changing and that they will not need to use an online marketplace. But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare recipients now receive free preventive services, including a wide range of health screenings and an annual wellness visit.