Glossary Archives

Brought to you by Alison Gordon Insurance Services, Inc. CA license #0780178

5 things about health insurance you only know if you have a broker (Like ME!)

You can’t just get individual health insurance any ‘ol time you want. You MUST enroll during Open Enrollment (which starts in November for coverage beginning in January). ORRRRR you can get a new plan if you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that happened within the last 60 days. A QLE is something like involuntary… Continue reading 5 things about health insurance you only know if you have a broker (Like ME!)

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #7

Life can only be understood backwards, but it must always be lived forwards. (Thanks Mr. Kierkegaard!)

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #6

“Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.” (Thank you Dennis Wholey)

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #5

Never buy insurance for something you can reasonably afford to pay for yourself.

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #4

The last thing you want to hear is your Insurance Mom saying “I told you so.” So I’m telling you!

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #3

When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot. (Wisdom from the Dalai Lama!)

The Insurance Mom’s Quip. #2

If health care was affordable, we wouldn’t need health insurance. Just so’s ya know.

PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

What’s with the alphabet soup? What’s it all mean? How will it inform your choices? Understanding the differences is essential to understanding health insurance. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) Say your toe hurts and you’re on an HMO. Where do you go first, the podiatrist? WRONG! With an HMO, you must get prior approval and referral to a… Continue reading PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

Allowed Amount

This is the most an IN-network provider can charge you for health care services. AKA “eligible expense.” AKA “negotiated rate.” An IN-network provider is not allowed to charge more than the insurance company’s Allowed Amount.

Tax Credits

Part of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), people get a tax credit to help them pay for their insurance premium. Tax credit eligibility is determined by the FPL guidelines (your annual household income).