by NH Small Business Health Insurance broker Stephen Donohue 

As a broker who specializes in group health insurance here in NH I am often asked about Association Health Plans. Small and medium sized NH employers are hopeful that some day they will be able to get together with OTHER employers to get lower health insurance premiums.

The Affordable Care Act made it extremely difficult to create Association Health Plans- however- recent Trump administration efforts have relaxed the rules paving the way for these types of plans to be established.

There are currently 2 bills in the NH Senate that address association health plans, they are: 



Senate Bill 227
introduced by by Jeb Bradley R-Wolfeboro
designed to create more flexibility for small employer groups and would allow self-insured to participate also, with some consumer protections built in.

Senate Bill 228
introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dan feltes D - Concord
has more consumer protections and states that any new alternative would NOT cause rates in the individual market to go up.

Hearings for both Senate Bills are expected to be announced shortly.

If you want more information there is an excellent article written by Bob Sanders of the NH Business Review here.

by Stephen Donohue NH Medigap Insurance Specialist

Each year the NH Insurance Department publishes a consumer guide for New Hampshire Seniors to help them evaluate the NH Medicare Supplement market. The NH Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance shows the cost per plan for each of the Medicare Supplement Plans listed below:

•  Supplement Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan F+, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, Plan N

Want to know who has the best NH Medicare Supplement Rates in 2019- CLICK HERE?

For 2019 in NH Medigap Supplement Plans at the time of printing are offered by the following insurance companies:

1. Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company   
2. Aetna Life Insurance Company  
3. American Retirement Life Insurance Company (Agent and Direct Marketed) 
4. Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire  
5. Central States Indemnity Company of Omaha 
6. Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company  
7. Combined Insurance Company of America 
8. Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood, TN 
9. Equitable Life and Casualty Insurance Company  
10. First Health Life & Health Insurance Company 
11. Gerber Life Insurance Company 
12. Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company 
13. Government Personnel Mutual Life Insurance Company 
14. HPHC Insurance Company 
15. Humana Insurance Company 
16. Loyal American Life Insurance Company 
17. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company 
18. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
19. Transamerica Life Insurance Company 
20. United American Insurance Company
21. UnitedHealthcare®
22. USAA Life Insurance Company 

Want to know which NH Medicare Medigap Plan Insurance company has special features like household  or spousal discounts, Silver Sneakers, Fitness Rewards and other things that NH Seniors find  attractive?

​If you want to find the 2019 NH MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT health plan that works the best for you please call Steve Donohue NH Medigap Insurance Broker at  603-882-2909.
You can DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE 2019 NH Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance HERE!

by Stephen Donohue NH Term Life Insurance Expert

Today Life Insurance is more affordable than in the past and also  getting it is easier than ever.

Industry organization LifeHappens.org is a great resource for anyone looking to buy life insurance.  Please see:

Life Happens great brochure called What you Need to Know About Life Insurance

And their Calculator that shows HOW MUCH LIFE INSURANCE YOU NEED ​

There are several different kinds of life insurance that you can buy. At our agency here are the 3 most popular kinds of life insurance that our clients buy:

Term Life Insurance- this is often the most popular and also the most affordable life insurance solution. Term Life Insurance provides coverage for a SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME. Here are 5 Reasons to consider Term Life Insurance in NH:

1. Low Cost
2. Easy underwriting for people ages 18-60 (no medical exam)
3. Tax Free death benefit
4. Ability to convert to ENTIRE LIFE POLICY
5. Level Premiums Available up to 30 years (or more!)

Universal Life Insurance- is more flexible than Term Life Insurance and most universal policy often permits for flexible premium payments. Today many universal life policies are designed to last until age 100, 105 even as high as age 120. So Universal Life is a great product for someone who wants to buy life insurance today that will last their entire life.
​
Whole Life Insurance- Called Whole Life because these policies are designed to last your "Whole (or entire) Life". These policies are often more expensive than term life  insurance but offer some attractive features like:

• ability to build cash value- with a guaranteed rate of return
• access to cash in a policy loan or withdrawal
• Premiums can be designed to never increase 

​Whole life policies are used for Estate Planning and are a helpful tool for transferring wealth from one generation to the next.

If you are looking for a NH Term Life Insurance quote or if you have questions for what kind of life insurance is best for you please call Atlantic Insurance today at 603-882-2909.
​

by Steve Donohue New Hampshire Medicare Supplement Insurance Broker

In 2019 experts are predicting that Social Security Benefits will increase by  approximately 2.9%. This translates to an additional $39 month for the average $1400 monthly Social Security benefit.

Now in 2018, for most US Senior Citizens, the Social Security cost of living adjustment was erased by an increase in Medicare Part B costs. The good news for 2019 is that a significant increase in Medicare Part B Costs is NOT expected. Recent estimates for Medicare Part B Premiums for 2019 are $135.50 for most recipients. (Some higher wage earners will pay more for Part B). In 2018 most NH Medicare recipients pay $134 month for Part B.

The 2019 Medicare Part B Costs will not be announced until the Social Security Administration announces the cost of living increase next month. Please see great article on CNBC.COM that explains how experts predict monthly checks for many seniors will increase in 2019.

There are many choices in the NH Medicare insurance market for seniors. If you are on Medicare, and would like to learn more about the Medicare Supplement plans offered to here in New Hampshire please call us at 1-888-882-2909.

For more Medicare Resources please visit:

Questions and Answers about Medicare Enrollment Before, During and After Open Enrollment

Medicare Supplement Plans F, G and N Compared

See  the NH Medicare Insurers with BEST Medigap Plan G Rates for 2019

by Steve Donohue Nashua NH Concord Group Insurance Car Insurance Agent

Today we received an update from The Concord Group Insurance Companies that their Financial Strength Ratings of A (Excellent) have been reaffirmed by AM Best. Other good news is that The Concord Group's Long Term Issuer Credit ratings have been upgraded to "a+". See memo from Concord Group President & CEO Linda J Day. Also the Concord Group's 2017 affiliation with Auto Owners Insurance Company an A++ Superior rated company helped it's financial strength as well.

​Here at Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company we make sure that ANY insurer that we offer can meet our clients needs in several categories including:

• Low Cost NH MA Auto, Car Home and Business Insurance
• High Levels of Coverage - not all insurance is the same. Each insurance company will offer a variety of packages, endorsements and products.
• Quality of Customer Service - from simple transactions like changing a car, to more complex issues like resolving a client's winter home owner claim  
• Financial Stability - AM Best is one of the leading financial rating organizations

We are pleased to say that Concord Group Insurance meets our client's needs on ALL the measurements that we track. 

As an independent insurance agency we have the ability to work with several insurers here in NH and MA.  We are so thrilled to work with Concord Group Insurance for our Nashua, Merrimack, Hudson, Hollis and surrounding area clients.

If you would like a NH or MA Car, Home, Auto, Business Auto or Commercial Auto insurance quote please call us today at 603-882-2909.

by Steve Donohue NH Medicare Supplement Broker
Here in NH for the past several  years the NH Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Plan F has been the go-to plan for seniors looking for deluxe coverage. However in 2018 I have seen NH Medicare Supplement Plan G emerge as a great value for the following 5 reasons:

1. Medigap Plan G is SIMILAR to Plan F- I like to say that the Plan G is the Plan F's nice looking younger sister. The Plan G covers hospital, nursing home, and MANY things the SAME EXACT WAY that the Plan F does. What is the difference..? The Plan G does NOT cover the Part B deductible of $183.
2. Plan G Supplement offers SIGNIFICANT Monthly Premium Savings- Today in NH the Plan G Supplement has premiums that are SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER than the Plan F. In 2018 Anthem's Blue Cross Blue Shield of NH Plan F for a Male Age 65 is  $193.09 a month- the NH Plan G Medigap with Anthem is only $149.64 - that's a savings of $43.45/month or  $521.40 annually.
3. Plan G Still Covers Excess Charges- Like the Plan F the Plan G DOES COVER EXCESS CHARGES! Now excess charges are not frequent- and also often not significant but conservative shoppers enjoy that extra protection.
4.  Plan F is Going Away in 2020 - It has been announced that in 2020 the Plan F will no longer be offered to new enrollees (see article). People who ALREADY HAVE PLAN F can keep it  after 2020 - but what historically happens when a plan is no longer offered is the cost for that discontinued plan tends to increase. (The Medicare Supplement Plan J is an excellent example of this.) So if Plan G is going to be available in the future it is likely that the rates may be more stable. 
5. Set it and Forget It- As a NH Medicare insurance agent who has  specialized in Medicare plans for over a decade I see seniors that are now in their 70's that still have the same Medicare Supplement plan they bought years ago. So seniors looking for a long term solution- or plan that will fit for years to come- the Plan G supplement is an excellent idea. 

If you would like to learn more about the NH Medicare Supplemental Plans please give us a call at 603-882-2909.

Atlantic Insurance in Nashua helps seniors with ALL their insurance needs including special programs for home, car, umbrella, life insurance and of course Medicare Insurance plans.

Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. is pleased to announce our partnership with The Concord Group Insurance Company.

There are so many great things about working with the Concord Group Insurance - but here are 5 UNIQUE features that really separate Concord Group Insurance from other insurers and make them an attractive choice for people who need an excellent insurance company in NH and MA:

• Attractive Home & Car Insurance Rates- Our agency has a comparative rating tool that tracks prices from several insurers and The Concord Group for home, auto and umbrella is coming back as the lowest or second lowest priced insurer consistently.
• Dedicated Underwriters- Our agency is assigned dedicated underwriters for personal lines and commercial insurance. Having this relationship helps us when we have  a client with a special circumstance that needs to be reviewed. It also enables us to write business that might be declined or canceled elsewhere.
• Endorsements- Endorsement is an insurance term used for package of additional coverage or enhancements that are added to a policy. Concord Group's CHEC endorsement for the home policy is fantastic- see more info here. The PACE + car insurance endorsements broaden the car insurance policy more attractive- see more info here. 
• Mutual Company Structure In simple terms an insurance company can be either Stockholder Owned or Policy Holder Owned. The policy holder owned companies are referred to as MUTUAL COMPANIES. We find that mutual companies deliver a high touch level of customer service to their clients.
• Local Service Having a local telephone number to call with a question or concern, and knowing that someone in nearby NH is taking care of our clients is reassuring.

As a Nashua, NH based Concord Group Insurance Agency we can sell the many attractive insurance programs Concord Group offers including:

• Home and Car Insurance Coverage
• Commercial Auto Insurance 
• Business Insurance
• Renter's Insurance
• Restaurant Insurance
• Small Business Owner Policies
• Landlord Insurance

If you want a NH MA Concord Group Insurance quote- or If you want to learn about whether the Concord Group is right for you please call us today at 603-882-2909. 

by Stephen Donahue NH Medicare Insurance Specialist

If you are interested in Medicare supplement Plans in NH- we find our clients often select one of the following (3) NH Supplement plan designs:
Plan F
Plan G
Plan N

We have summarized the differences between these common NH Medigap plans below-AND-we have also an article that compares the NH Plan F, NH Plan G and NH Plan N Supplements in more detail.

Please feel free to contact us to go over the different options in more detail. 

There is a great article by Les Masterson on Realtor.com. The 4 Most Common Reasons Why Your Home Insurance Company Will Drop Your Coverage

In it he covers the common reasons why your home insurance company may decide to cancel or not to renew your home insurance policy. In summary, here are the 4 reasons:

1. Old Roof
Well it is actually the age AND CONDITION of the roof that matters. I am not surprised by this one. Today in my neighborhood there is a home for sale that was built in 1986 and it still has the original roof! It is listed for $479,000- I doubt it will sell unless the roof is replaced or some provision is made in the sales agreement.

2. Too many claims
I know you are asking yourself why do I buy insurance? Well, frequent claims can cause your current insurer to not renew- or to even increase your costs dramatically. As a NH Home Insurance agency we shop home insurance for our clients all day long. We are so frustrated when we see a client with 2 claims and one is for only $400. (If it's under a $1,500 we suggest that you do not file the claim...you can lose a loss free discount, your rates can increase and if you have a significant claim in the future it may result in cancellation or non-renewal!) Having more than one claim in a short time period can make it difficult to get attractive home insurance rates!

3. Insurer stops offering in your state or area

4. High Risk Pets
Many NH home insurers will NOT write your home insurance if you have a high risk dog (They include Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Akita, Chow, and Akita).

Today dog bites are the most common liability claim on a home insurance policy and cost insurers $700 Million annually. The typical amount paid out for a dog bite claim is $37,051. As a NH Home Insurance agent we have some good news we have a NH home insurance company that will work with home owners who have dog bite history. So please call us if you have need a quote!

Please see the entire article for more info- it is well done!

If you have any questions about your NH Home Insurance or MA Home Insurance policy- or if you want a NH Home Insurance Quote please give us a call at 1-888-882-2909.

Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company specializes in Nashua, NH Home Insurance and the surrounding community.

Useful tools to enhance your RV experience 

You know that taking to the road in your RV is fun – that’s why you do it! But vacationing on the road can have its troubles, like dead batteries, flat tires and missed destinations because of wrong directions. Wouldn’t it be great if there were tools and gadgets to help avoid these situations?
 
Here at Atlantic Insurance in Nashua, NH want to help make your RV trips not only easier but also better, whether you’re headed to Mount Washington or just Hampton Beach. So we’ve found some handy items to help do just that.
 
GPS
We know this isn’t exactly a “new” thing, so why not make the most of your RV trips by knowing exactly where you’re going? Your family will thank you. And some GPS models even show restaurants and other attractions.
 
Portable battery charger
A dead battery will bring your trip to a quick halt, so make sure you can charge up in an emergency. Some portable chargers are solar-powered and include air compressors to pump up a flat tire.
 
Tire monitors
A flat tire not only can ruin a day’s drive, it also can be dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to maintain your tires and make sure they’re properly inflated. RV tire pressure monitoring systems alert you when you have a tire running low so you can fix the situation before it gets worse.
 
Power inverter
These days, everyone has something to charge — from phones to laptops and even e-readers. There are tons of options for inverters that provide portable power, without using your generator, so your devices are ready to keep you connected and entertained.
 
Silicone cookware
A “must-have” for many RVers, silicone cookware is renowned for nonstick performance. Stacked pieces also don’t rattle while you’re on the road.
 
Satellite TV
Perhaps you’re RVing to escape “regular” life, including TV. But if you just can’t live without it, you have several choices from dishes that attach to the RV to portable models.
 
Games
Packing a few games is a great idea for when the weather doesn’t cooperate with your vacation or if you just want to make some new friends at the campground. Classic board games are a fun way to spend a rainy day, and it’s always a good idea to have a deck of cards or two around. Outdoor games like Cornhole (also known as “beanbag toss” or “bags”) are sure to get your competitive juices flowing.
 
Where to find gadgets for RVing
Of course, there are thousands of useful tools that we just don’t have room to list here – kitchen gizmos to barbecue grills, solar panels to RV tracking systems. Any of these gadgets could improve your experience, whether you’re headed across the country or just across the state! Your local RV dealer likely has more than a few accessories to help you, so they’re a great place to start. Sites like amazon.com and campingworld.com have a lot to offer as well.

Get a NH RV NH Motor Home Airstream  NH Camper Insurance Quotes Today. You can call us at 603-882-2909 for a quote or click  here for an online NH RV MOTORHOME INSURANCE QUOTE.

The AVERAGE NH CAR INSURANCE PREMIUM IS $983 annually. (See great article about NH Auto Insurance) But most of our clients pay at LOT LESS!!

In NH there are almost 10% of drivers are uninsured- this is a problem for people who HAVE INSURANCE- do you have enough coverage for Uninsured Motorists on your policy? 

We are thrilled to share with you how affordable it is to get car insurance. We are happy to answer your questions and to learn more about what your unique needs are.

Do you...

• Have a Teen Age Driver?
• Need a NH SR-22?
• Have NH Speeding Tickets
• Have an RV, Boat or Collector Car?

We have creative solutions for just about any problem you can think of.

Call us today at 1-888-882-2909 or you can get a quote online here. 

With spring just around the corner, it’s a great time for a “spring break” RV trip. Whether you’re heading to the White Mountains or planning your getaway a lot farther from home, you’ll want to make the trip safely.  Here are some great tips to help you get out there and back without worry, because nothing can ruin an RV trip faster than trouble on the road.

First know your ride — even if you’re just along for the ride
Of course, knowing the features (and limitations) of your RV is the first step to safely driving it. Are you towing a car? Be mindful of how that will affect your stopping power and maneuverability. Know the dimensions of your vehicle to help with parking and any tight spots you might encounter on the road. Make sure you know that you can fit under the overpasses and bridges on your route.

And even if you’re just a passenger, it’s a good idea to learn how to drive the RV as well. You might need to take over in an emergency or other situation.

Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance
Just like a car, keeping your RV well-maintained is extremely important. Are your tires in good shape and properly inflated? If you’re towing a car or boat, do you need additional braking power? Are your mirrors angled correctly? Is your safety equipment (for example, your fire extinguisher) in good working order? Doing a walk-around and conducting some quick checks before you leave can save you a lot of frustration down the road.

Down the road!
Your RV is much bigger than a car, of course, and that means you need to act  carefully when you’re driving it. 

• Know your blind spots and use caution when changing lanes, merging or turning. 
• Be patient and aware at all times. Consider installing a rear camera to help give you a complete picture of your surroundings.
• Other vehicles may act aggressively to get around you, and sometimes will cut you off once they have passed. Prepare for these situations and understand that many drivers don’t realize that you need additional space in front of the RV.
•  Because your vehicle is far heavier than others, it picks up speed faster when going down hills or mountain passes, so keep an eye on that speedometer. 

What about parking?
It’s best to have someone to guide you into a parking spot. If you don’t have anyone with you, check out the area before you try to pull in.

• Practice turns and backing up before you leave on your trip.
• Of course, never park for the night in an area unless you have approval or know that it’s safe.

Need to learn more?
Consider taking an RV driving safety course, if possible. At the very least, practice in a large parking lot before hitting the road. Taking a little time to learn how best to drive your RV or improve your skills can have a big impact for you and your family!

Remember to give us a call at 603-882-2909 when you need coverage for your RV or anything else. We’re here to help.

Atlantic Insurance Nashua leading RV Insurance agency sells RV Insurance in Nashua, NH and the surrounding towns including Hudson, NH -Hollis, NH- Merrimack, NH- Manchester, NH and Pepperell, MA  and Groton, MA.

by Steve Donohue Nashua NH RV Insurance Agency Owner

February 13, 2018
Today Americans work hard and they are looking for a fun vacation. What better way to have fun then a week away in an RV! Now people are not just buying RV's- but they are also renting them.

​RV Sales surged In 2017  with an increase for the 9th year in a row. December 2017 was the best month for RV sales since the RV industry stated keeping track. Baby Boomers who want to travel the country have been joined by Millenials  newly entering the market. The sales have been helped  by higher standards for quality of construction, light weight options, and high technology in both campers and camp grounds. (Winnebago saw stock prices rise by 76% in 2017.)

As for rentals, in 2018 more than 35 million people in the US are expected to rent an RV. How do you rent an RV? Here are 3 resources for RV Renters below: 

• Outdoorsy a San Francisco company is helping private owners rent their RVs.  (think AirBnB for RV owners)
• Cruise America is also a great vendor
• RV Share

If you own an RV and need an insurance quote in NH or MA please call us at 603-882-2909 or visit our NH RV Insurance quote page here.

Also please visit the NH RV Insurance Blog for more helpful information here.

Getting a NH SR22 Operator's Insurance Certificate or NH Financial Responsibility Form FAST is important to our clients. We know that people need their driver's license to get to and from work, and to take care of their families.

Here are Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. we specialize in SAME DAY NH SR22 Insurance. 

Like other insurance companies we can issue a NH Sr-22 over the phone with electronic email signature and payment-however many insurers will just mail the SR22 Financial Responsibility Form to the NH DMV.

There is a big difference between buying a NH Sr-22 online and waiting 2 weeks for the insurance company to mail your Proof of Financial Responsibility to the NH DMV- and getting a NH Sr-22 certificate the Same Day.

This is where we are different- we get you the required NH Sr22 Operator's Certificate (Financial Responsibility Form aka Pink Slip) the same day!
​
If the NH DMV has let you know in writing that you require a NH SR22 either due to a DUI, Accident or some other kind of infraction please give us a call at 603-882-2909 we will help you get back your license or keep your license.

Click here more info about Same Day NH Sr22 or request an online NH SR-22 Quote with us here.

Steve Donohue, Nashua, NH Health Insurance specialist has been recognized as a member of the Healthcare.gov Circle of Champions for 2018.

Here at Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company we have been helping people understand and buy the most affordable health insurance plans LONG BEFORE Obamacare.

"In 2013, I got certified to  offer plans to individuals and businesses through the healthcare.gov marketplaces and I haven't looked back." says Steve Donohue. "It is now the 5th open enrollment for healthcare.gov and  with less choice and increasing costs it is more challenging than ever before for individuals and businesses here in NH. "

If you are an individual or business and need help understanding the NH health insurance market please call us at 1-888-882-2909.

REMEMBER Open Enrollment for 2018 in the INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET IN NH ends 12/15/2017!

​See award HEALTHCARE.GOV circle of champions certificate here.

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

​

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.

by Stephen Donohue NH Health Insurance Broker
A picture is worth a thousand words. See summary of annual health insurance costs below for the past 19 years.
This table shows how single & family health insurance costs have increased from 1999 to today.






















​​
Each year the Kaiser Family Foundation (kff.org) surveys employers of different types and sizes throughout the US. The 2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey  by KFF is a great tool for any employer to study. It also shows the differences in costs and coverage between small employers (3-199) and large employers (200+).

The 2017 KFF  Employer health Benefits Survey shows:

• National Average Cost of coverage for Health Insurance  in 2017
  • Individual Coverage  $ 6690 annual or $ 558 month
  • Family Coverage       $18764 annual or $1564 month
• Contribution Share (what employee pays vs employer pays)
• Average Annual Deductible for 2017 
  • Small Firms $2120
  • Large Firms $1276
• Number of non elderly Americans covered by group health insurance 151  Million 

I encourage ANY employer or employee to visit the KFF 2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey for more Info here.

Steve Donohue is a NH health insurance broker who sells health insurance to employers, individuals and NH Medicare recipients. If you have questions about your health insurance needs please call  Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. at
603-882-2909.

Here at Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co., we take pride in providing expert advice, great service and a variety of coverage choices that help our customers meet their insurance needs. And now we’re excited to add to your options through our partnership with Safeco Insurance.
 
Safeco’s comprehensive insurance coverages includes flexible choices and competitive prices for cars home motorcycle recreational vehicles boats and classic cars and more!
 
Our relationship with Safeco and the ability to sell their products gives our cherished clientele the ease and quality of service we strive to provide each and every day, and we’re proud to offer our customers even more customizable coverages with Safeco.
 
Safeco Insurance products are sold exclusively through independent agents, like Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. We can offer personal recommendations tailored specifically to your unique insurance needs. And we’re ready to help today!
 
Give us a call at 603-882-2909, email us at [email protected] or simply drop by the office at 375 Main St., Nashua NH to see what we can do for you. 

You can even request a quote online with our SafeCo quoting tool here:

by Steve Donohue NH Individual Health Insurance Broker and insurance writer

Today the NH insurance Department confirmed that Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Anthem will return to the NH Individual market- specifically noting that these insurers will BOTH offer plans on the NH Marketplace (also known as healthcare.gov).  However the big news is that Minuteman Health will NOT be returning to the NH Individual health insurance market in 2018. See Press release here.

Minuteman Health is a cooperative health plan that presently covers about 27,000 Granite State residents. Established in 2013, Minuteman initially emerged as a significant player in the NH individual Health insurance market. Focusing on a limited network of providers, and offering low cost silver plan designs made them an appealing choice for many individual health insurance shoppers.

However, in 2017 Minuteman hit financial difficulty. In June of 2017 Minuteman announced that it would stop writing business as of January 1, 2018 due to a significant reduction in capital. At that point leadership from Minuteman Health stated that they wanted to re-enter NH as a "for profit" health plan in 2018.

In August the Massachusetts Division of Insurance took control of Minuteman Health, placing them under a blanket of "receivership". (Receivership is when a state steps in to protect policyholders and providers when an insurance company is in financial distress. This measure is designed to bolster Minuteman Health so that they can meet obligations until the end of 2017.) Today it became clear that Minuteman Health would not obtain the funding required to create a new separate entity to offer coverage in NH for 2018.

What does the NH Individual Health Insurance Market look like now?
​See quick review below of the enrollment of members by the 4 current insurers who offer Individual health plans in NH. Today Minuteman Health is the 2nd largest insurer in the non group market.
(Source 2017 Marketplace Monthly Enrollment Report)




















​What insurers will offer NH Individual Health Insurance in 2018 marketplace?
As of today three other insurers, Anthem, Ambetter and Harvard have all confirmed that they will be offering health insurance in NH for 2018.

What can I do if I am a Minuteman Member?
Representatives from the NH Insurance Department and the Massachusetts Division of Insurance have stated that consumers covered under Minuteman now will not likely experience significant changes. Members and providers are encouraged to contact Minuteman Health as they have in the past for any issues.

The waiting is the hardest part... (Tom Petty)
Open enrollment  begins November 1, 2017 and ends December 15, 2017- this is the time when individuals can choose a new health plan for 2018. So if you are a Minuteman member you can select new coverage during open enrollment. The dilemma that some Minuteman consumers will face is changing insurers and likely seeing higher premium costs beginning January 2018.

If you have questions please call:

• Minuteman Health at 1-855-644-1776 
• NH Insurance Dept. Consumer Division at 1-800-852-3416

See Anthem NewsFlash  
​Anthem to offer Individual plans on the exchange in New Hampshire for 2018

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been serving consumers in the Individual market for decades, and throughout that time our commitment to the residents of New Hampshire to provide access to affordable, quality health care has not changed. 

We were the only carrier to offer plans on the exchange in New Hampshire in its first year of existence, and we are pleased to continue offering Individual plans in 2018 that provide consumers with access to care statewide. 

You may have heard recently that we're leaving the exchanges in some other states. We want you to know we are making our participation decisions on a state by state basis, and are pleased to continue making these plans available in New Hampshire. 

Of course, recognizing the dynamics and level of volatility in the Individual market, we will continue to advocate solutions that support stability in the market.