Frequently Asked Questions - Health Insurance

Baygroup Insurance has over 40 years of combined experience in the Long-Term Care insurance (LTCi), life, disability, and health insurance markets.  Baygroup Insurance is a brokerage, which means they offer a selection of top insurance carriers to choose from.  They have sold over xxx LTCi policies. Their track record on service and follow-through are second to none.  LINK TO TESTIMONIALS.   Baygroup Insurance makes educating prospective clients a priority so that they can make an informed decision when purchasing insurance products for themselves and their families.  

Within the group, Melissa Barnickel is a CPA as well as having a CLTC (Certified in Long-Term Care) designation.  With her financial background she is able to pick up where many agents leave off.  Her overall accounting knowledge helps clients feel comfortable with their financial decisions.  When prospective clients leave a meeting with Melissa, they have a better understanding of what LTCi is and how it provides the funding for a long-term care plan.  Melissa also educates and assists her clients with their health, disability, and life insurance needs to meet their financial goals. 

Ed Hutman has a CLTC designation.  Ed has a knack that allows people to truly understand the impact of not planning for a long-term care event and the details and options offered with LTCi. Ed has knowledge and experience with groups that have offered LTCi to their employees as a benefit option.  When working with Ed, employers and individuals gain an understanding of how LTCi will benefit them.  Ed also helps employers and individuals gain understanding about health, disability, and life insurance products.

Insurance provides the cash flow to pay for professionals to provide care in a variety of settings. Family members maintain their emotional and physical wellbeing by supervising the care rather than providing the care.  Retirement income can continue to fund the lifestyle planned, as opposed to setting aside funds, "just in case" an extended care event takes place.  Insurance also preserves financial commitments to family members.  

The amount of money paid out-of-pocket before an insurance carrier begins to pay for your medical expenses.  For example, with a $200 deductible, and a $450 health care bill, the insured would pay $200 and the health insurance company would pay $250.

A network is a group of doctors, specialists, or health care venues that have agreed to take insurance from a particular company.  If you have particular doctors or hospitals that you prefer to use for your health care, it is a good idea to make sure that they are "in network" for the insurance plan that you are planning on purchasing.  Because your insurance company already has an agreement with "in network" providers, you pay less money for health care services provided by health care professionals that are "in network" than you would pay to see a professional that is "out of network."

Yes, companies offer a variety of products within a few different employer size groups: small (2-50 employees), mid-sized (50-99 employees) or large (over 100 employees).  Benefit summaries provide an easy way to compare plan benefits.  

Federal and states mandate minimum benefit requirements for group health plans.  Beyond these, you will be able to elect plan designs from those offered carrier selected.  Baygroup Insurance can help you understand your options and cost.

A certain level of employee participation is mandated in many states in order for employers to offer a group health plan.  This number is usually around 75%.  This is required so the group plan is not covering only those employees who have health conditions requiring expensive treatment.

The amount will vary based on location, benefits, carrier and average age of employees.  The employers generally share some of the cost for each employee participating.

The best time to purchase a Medigap insurance policy is during your Medigap open enrollment period.  During this time, you are guaranteed the right to buy a policy regardless of your health status.  For more details on Medicare Enrollment Periods, see http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11219.pdf

No, Medigap policies no longer offer prescription drug coverage.  Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.

No.  Your Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable. As long as you pay your policy premiums on time, it cannot be cancelled by the insurance company.

No.  Each Medigap policy covers only one person.  If you and your spouse would both like Medigap insurance, you will have to purchase two separate policies.