Security Health Plan announces two new individual and family plans

MARSHFIELD — People shopping for individual or family health insurance will be pleased to know Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., will offer two new coverage options that can help reduce their health care costs and provide them access to high-quality providers.

The new product, named Protect, includes two plan choices in addition to the Select plan options already offered by Security. Protect can be purchased directly from Security Health Plan or through a licensed insurance agent. Protect will not be available through the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov). Security Health Plan’s Select plans are offered both on and off the Marketplace.

Security Health Plan added the two new Protect plans after learning members enrolling through the Marketplace could face the possibility of sizeable premium increases on Silver metal tier plans if the federal government stops paying the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) funding. Cost Sharing Reductions are discounts to low income enrollees on HealthCare.gov to help them pay for deductibles, coinsurance and/or copayments. CSRs are only available on Silver tier plans for those members between 100-250 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL).

“When we learned the CSR funding may be eliminated we wanted to shield our off-exchange members from the significant premium increases that were sure to follow,” said Marty Anderson, Chief Marketing Officer at Security Health Plan. “These premium increases will primarily affect enrollees not eligible for tax credits, subsidies or CSRs.”

In addition, Security Health Plan is expanding its coverage area for individual and family plans to include Buffalo County, Forest County and Menomonie County. The Protect and Select plans will be available throughout a 33-county service area, which covers most of northern and central Wisconsin. The Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) network includes a special set of high-quality providers, including Marshfield Clinic Health System, Ministry Health Care, Essentia Health, Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, St. Joseph Hospital in Chippewa Falls and most OakLeaf Medical Network providers.

“With a wide-choice of plan options that emphasize value and service, consumers can choose the insurance coverage that best fits their health care needs and the health care needs of their family,” Anderson added. He noted, “Enrollment is easy through our website, but some people are more comfortable talking to an agent who can help them choose their best option.”

That is why Security Health Plans has nine Answer Centers conveniently located throughout the region. Consumers can meet face-to-face with an agent who will help them understand their options and choose the plan that’s right for them. Learn more about the Answer Centers at www.securityhealth.org/answercenters. Or call 1-844-267-9198 to schedule an appointment.

Consumers can compare plan options, calculate their tax subsidy and enroll in a plan at www.securityhealth.org/myplans. Only insurance companies approved as a Qualified Health Plan are eligible to offer coverage through the Marketplace. Purchasing a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace is the only way consumers can receive a tax credit to help meet health care costs.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2018 is Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2017, for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2018.