ANSWER: There are many insurance firms in the Farmington area and Sun Spots does not know enough about them to make recommendations. You can call Anthem Insurance and ask to speak to a consultant at 866-795-7748. Or you can try Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to locate insurance coverage at 855-354-4742. State Farm listed 25 insurance agents in the Farmington area. Call 800-782-8332 for their list.
The U.S. government’s HealthCare.gov website offers these tips:
“Choosing a health insurance plan can be complicated. Knowing just a few things before you compare plans can make it simpler.
“There are 4 categories of health insurance plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories show how you and your plan share costs. Plan categories have nothing to do with quality of care.
“Your total costs for health care: You pay a monthly bill to your insurance company (a ‘premium’), even if you don’t use medical services that month. You pay out-of-pocket costs, including a deductible, when you get care. It’s important to think about both kinds of costs when shopping for a plan.
“Plan and network types — HMO, PPO, POS, and EPO: Some plan types allow you to use almost any doctor or health care facility. Others limit your choices or charge you more if you use providers outside their network.”
There are multiple health plans available under Obamacare in Maine. Some of the factors that determine how much your health plan will cost include the level of coverage you select, your age, the city you live in and whether you are a smoker. Some people can apply for coverage anytime of the year. This includes people with “major life changes” and people who qualify for MaineCare, according to information supplied by Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Individuals and families can purchase their own insurance only during a specific open enrollment period unless they experience a life-changing event, such as a job loss or the birth of a child. The next open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2016.
In Maine, individual and family plans will be sold by Aetna, Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care/HPHC and Community Health Options, formerly known as Maine Community Health Options.
Information about plans offered on and off the marketplace can be found at the Bureau of Insurance website at Maine.gov/insurance, by calling the bureau at 1-800-300-5000 or by emailing Insurance.PFR@maine.gov.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been cleaning out some of my folk’s things and I have come across some vinyl records from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. I would like to donate them to a non-profit or elder-care facility. If any of your readers can use them, they can contact me by email. In the subject line please reference records or donation. Thank you — Carole at mmrescue54@aol.com.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a used stair chair lift which is a chair for the disabled to ride up and down stairs. New ones cost too much. Can you find one for me? Thank you. — Call 207-754-0501.
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