by NH health insurance broker Steve J. Donohue, Jr. RHU 

NH Individual Marketplace consumers in 2018 can expect 4 things:

1. Less Choice- only 15 plans offered in 2018 (vs 42 plans in 2017). With the departure of Minuteman Health there are only 3 insurers that will sell insurance to individuals here in NH for 2018. ​
2. Higher Rates- It is important to know that consumers who qualify for and get a Premium Tax Credit Subsidy will not see their monthly costs change significantly. Unfortunately, for individuals who do NOT get help paying for their insurance will see a SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PREMIUM COSTS  for 2018. 
3. No Cost Share Reduction (CSR)- The CSR is commonly misunderstood, In ADDITION TO a premium subsidy about half  of healthcare.gov applicants ALSO get a lower deductible through what is called a Cost Share Reduction. President Trump's recent executive order ends the CSR which helps lower out of pocket costs for consumers. 
4. Limited Open Enrollment Window - 6 Weeks starts 11/1/17 ends 12/15/17 (last year it was 3 full months)

See review of the types of plans Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and AmBetter will offer on the NH Marketplaces in 2018. 

Harvard Pilgrim (2 Plans On exchange- additional plans off exchange)
On the healthcare.gov website for 2018 Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare will ONLY OFFER 2 plan designs, one GOLD and one SILVER plan. This is much different than 2017 when they offered 8 different plans. Both of the Harvard Pilgrim Plans offered will be ELEVATE HEALTH. Harvard's Elevate Health is their limited network product. For more info about Harvard's Elevate Plans visit HPHC Website here. Harvard also offers INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE directly to consumers off the exchange. 

Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield (11 Plans On Exchange- additional plans off exchange)
Anthem has the most options for consumers on the exchange for 2018. They will offer 1 catastrophic plan, 3 bronze plans, 6 Silver plans and 1 Gold plan. Anthem also offers INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE directly to consumers off the exchange. 

AmBetter (2 Plans on Exchange)
Like 2017 AmBetter will offer 2 plans, 1 silver and 1 Gold plan.

Here are a few resources for NH Individual Health Insurance Consumers.

• List of NH Individual, SHOP and Dental Plans Offered in 2018
• Marketplace Application Checklist
• Visit www.healthcare.gov or call Toll Free # healthcare.gov 1-800-318-2596
• Get ready for Open Enrollment 2018 with These 5 Tips

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by Steve Donohue, NH Medigap Insurance broker

The NH Medigap market offers NH Seniors many choices. When it comes to picking the best Medicare Supplement plan for your needs there are several different insurance companies to choose from.

Who has the best rates in the NH Medicare Supplement market for 2018?
For the popular Medicare Plan F, Plan G and Plan N see table below:
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If you want to learn more about the NH Medicare Supplemental plans that are available and how they work please call Steve Donohue at 603-882-2909.

For 2018 Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Globe and American Retirement offer the MOST attractive Medicare Supplemental rates. 

There are 20 insurers offering Medicare Supplement- or Medigap plans here in NH.

Please see great resource below published by the NH Insurance Department:

2018 NH Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance 

by NH Medicare Supplement broker  and insurance writer Stephen J. Donohue, Jr. RHU
NH Medicare enrollees will be pleased to hear that in 2018 the Department of Health & Human Services will be replacing Medicare ID cards.  Medicare members have have long complained about the fact that their Medicare ID # is usually their Social Security number with a letter after it.

Medicare will be issuing New ID cards - about 60 million of them- without the social security number as an identifier- the new ID Card will instead have 11 digits and will include both letters and numbers. Removing the Social Security number form the Medicare Card is designed to help fight identity theft. NH Medicare ID card replacement will begin in April 2018 and is expected to be completed by April 2019.

If you are on NH Senior who is on Medicare please make sure that  Social Security has your correct address and be sure to keep your  new ID # confidential. See more info below from Medicare & You 2018 brochure.