Jim Cooke Insurance

An Important announcement to my clients:
On Saturday, April 20th, we will be moving my office to a new address in Oklahoma City. With the move, AT&T is requiring us to take a new temporary office phone number. AT&T says we should be able to get our old phone number, 405-720-0094.
Our temporary phone number is 405-261-2031. Remember this is a temporary number and should have our old number (405-720-0094) back in a few days.
Our fax number, 405-728-1674 will stay the same as will my email address, [email protected].

An Important message to my clients:
Open enrollment will end tomorrow, December 7th at Midnight. However, that is only for Medicare Part "C" (Medicare Advantage Plans) and Medicare part "D" (Drug Plans).
Because of the various co-payments and other costs associated with Medicare Advantage plans, most of my clients prefer true Medicare supplements (Medigap plans) that do not have these copays, costs, and restrictions as to where they can get their treatments. Their plan can be enrolled in year-round.
However, historically, to enroll in another true Medigap plans, a person would be underwritten and could be turned down due to Medical reasons. However, in September 2023, a new ruling set forth by the Oklahoma Insurance Department requires all Medicare supplement issuers to provide new supplemental policies with the same or lesser coverage with no underwriting for those who have had no gap in coverage for more than 90 days. This special enrollment period will begin each year on the enrollees birthday and will continue for 59 additional days. This could mean considerable premium savings for policy holders.

Call me for more information.
-Jim

An important message to my clients:
The other day I was sitting in my office when I got a call from the Federal Health Marketplace. It was a recorded call warning me I was in danger of losing my Marketplace health plan. Here's the problem: My insurance is not even through the Federal Health Marketplace. The majority of these calls are false information, and you are not in danger of losing your Marketplace plan.
If you receive one of these calls, simply call me and I can tell you the true status of your plan, and if you need to take any further action.
Don't hesitate to call me anytime you have questions about your coverage, whether you are on the Marketplace or not.
Thanks, JJim Cooke Insurance405.720.0094

To my clients on Medicare,
The annual Medicare Open Enrollments started October 15th and will continue until December 7th. Inevitably, every year there are countless Medicare scams where criminals pretend to be from Medicare or an organization representing Medicare. This year is no different. They will use terms such as "I'm with the Medicare Enrollment Center." they will claim "new Medicare cards are being issued, because of this your old one is invalid. " They will insist that they need you to verify your Medicare claim number or Social Security number to receive your new card. The caller may even tell you your "benefits will be cancelled" if you don't immediately provide your personal information. They may tell you that you "qualify for a refund due to a change in your plan," and ask for your personal information. These are most usually scams. Medicare does not call you on the phone and ask for personal information. You will usually get a written request from Medicare stating what information they need.
If you get one of these types of calls, you are welcome to tell them you will get with your agent about any changes, and hang up. Do not give your personal information over the phone to anyone claiming to be from Medicare.

Please feel free to call with any concerns.
Thanks, Jim

An important message for my clients:
Traditionally, if you were on a true Medicare supplement (gap plan) and you were past your initial guaranteed issue period (3 months before your 65th birthday, your birth month, and the proceeding 3 months), you could not change to another plan or company without being underwritten. However, this month (September) a new ruling, or amendment, to the Oklahoma administrative code set forth by the Oklahoma Insurance Department requires Medicare supplement issuers to provide new supplement policies with the same or lesser coverage to policy holders, regardless of the current current carrier for those who have had no gap in coverage for more than 90 days....These policyholders must be provided a 60 day open enrollment with NO underwriting (GUARANTEED ISSUE). This enrollment period will begin each year on the enrollees birthday and will continue for 59 additional days. This possibly could save the policy holders with premium savings, especially if they are on an old "F" plan.
Call me with any question about this new ruling.
Thanks, Jim

An important message to my clients:If you get your health insurance through the Federal Marketplace and are receiving a subsidy to help pay your premiums, it is very important that you:
1. Contact social security, or go online to apply for Medicate part "A" and "B."2. Do this before your birth month when you turn 65. You can enroll in Medicare 3 months before you turn 65.3. If you wait until you are eligible for Medicare and are still getting a subsidy from the Marketplace, you will probably have to pay back your subsidy starting with the month you became eligible for Medicare (the 1st day of your birth month).Call me so I can assist you with a call to the Marketplace. If another person in your household is not yet eligible for Medicare, they can continue coverage with a subsidy with no penalty. Call me anytime with any questions or concerns. Thanks, Jim

Good Evening!
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, congress enacted the
"Families First Coronavirus Response Act." This required states to
allow all people enrolled in Medicaid to continue to be covered,
despite their income. However, on December 29th 2022 congress signed
into law the "Consolidated Appropriation Act." This stopped the
continuous enrollment in Medicaid. That means the states will
re-examine the income and eligibility of all Medicaid recipients. It
is estimated that between 5million and 14 million people will lose
their coverage through Medicaid. Termination notices started being
sent to consumers April 1st. However if a person's Medicaid is
terminated they can apply on the Federal Insurance Marketplace for
coverage within 60 days of losing Medicaid. They also could be
eligible for a subsidy and other cost cutting benefits to help pay for
premiums. Their new coverage on the Market Place will start the first day of the month following the choice of a plan. If you know anyone who has lost coverage, have them contact me and I will assist them in getting creditable coverage.

A message to my Blue Cross clients:
Open Enrollment starts TOMORROW!!! (Nov. 1st)
As an agent of Blue Cross, I have recently seen a preview of my clients' 2023 rates. Some of my clients are receiving a very small rate increase, but some are receiving a large increase. If you have any questions about your 2023 rates and coverage, do not hesitate to give me a call.
We have other carriers beside Blue Cross, but all carriers' rates went up, while the federal subsidies in many cases went down.
There are HMO plans which have lower rates, but as is the case with HMO, you are limited to only certain counties in Oklahoma, and limited to which medical providers you can use in those counties.
Again, please call me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Jim

Our Internet and Phone lines are down due to lightening. We are working to resolve the problem. Please send us a Facebook message if you have an emergency need and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
Thanks, Jim

An Important message to my clients:
This past week I had three clients call me who were concerned and frustrated with situations they had with either their insurance companies or the Marketplace.
Once they contacted me, two of the situations were easily resolved. The third was a little more complicated, but was cleared up in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of my client.
One of the primary benefits of having your personal agent is having an advocate for you that can answer your questions and help solve problems that might arise when you have to deal with insurance companies or the Federal Marketplace. That is also the primary reason I am in your life. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any issue you may be experiencing. The best way to reach me is not texting, the fax, email, or Facebook message. The best way to contact me is on our office phone at 405.720.0094.
If I miss your call I check for messages throughout the day starting at 7AM. Most of my out of town appointments are in the afternoon or evening. In those cases I will sometimes call the next morning.
Please call with any questions or concerns you may have.
Thanks,
Jim

ATT strikes again!
Our business telephone line is not working. If you call 405.720.0094 the call will be routed to our answering system. However, we cannot retrieve your message, and our call history does not display the phone numbers of those who attempted to call us. Hopefully ATT will have this situation corrected by tomorrow afternoon, January 27th.
In the meantime, if you need to contact us, please email us at [email protected]
Thanks, Jim

A message for my clients regarding application status:

I have recently received a number of calls from clients who said they had received a call from the Federal Marketplace. These calls inform my clients that according to Marketplace records, they have incomplete applications and need to contact the Marketplace before January 15th to complete said application. If you receive a call like this, call me immediately and let me check on your policy status. Do not call the Marketplace. To date, every call of this nature I have found to be invalid, and my clients applications are complete.
Again, call me, not the Marketplace. It takes very little time for me to look up your 2022 coverage and verify your status. Meanwhile each of you have a Happy New Year, and don't hesitate to call me with any questions.
Thanks, Jim

Thank you to our active military, our veterans and all their families who have served our country!
GOD BLESS YOU!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA

I recently sent my clients a notice that all individual health plans in the state would have a rate increase January 1st. Additionally, the Federal Insurance Marketplace has lowered all subsidies in the state.
Just this past year they raised the federal subsidies, giving those who qualified for any kind of federal subsidy extremely attractive rates. Now, because of the cut in subsidies, some of my clients on the Marketplace will see significant rate increases.
I have checked the rates on different health insurance companies in the Marketplace and Blue Cross rates are comparable or lower than most companies. The companies that have lower rates limit access to medical facilities, providers, and even entire areas of the state's 77 counties.
You also will or have received a letter from Blue Cross showing your new estimated 2022 rates. I am finding some of the estimates severely inaccurate. We can help control your rate by adjusting your PPO network and coverage.
Call me with any questions you might have.
-Jim

A message to my Blue Cross clients who receive a federal subsidy:
All health insurance companies will have a rate increase January 1st.
While Blue Cross will have a minimal increase, the federal government is reducing the amount current policy holders will receive in subsidies. This will affect all companies. There are now a few other companies in Oklahoma. Most are about the same price as Blue Cross. Those who have somewhat lower rates than Blue Cross limit your access to medical providers. They are either HMOs or "mini" PPOs that do not cover some hospitals, physicians, or even some counties. Blue Cross is accepted by medical providers in all 77 counties in Oklahoma, and in fact, all over the U.S. So, you will receive a notice from Blue Cross showing you your 2022 rates. If you have any questions about your rates, or policy, please give me a call.-Jim

An important message for my clients:
If you have a medical plan through the Federal Marketplace, and are going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future, you must drop your Marketplace Plan before your birth month. This is especially important if you have a subsidy. You are not eligible for a subsidy if you are eligible for another government plan. If you have a medical plan, for example with Blue Cross, you must contact the Marketplace, to drop your plan. You do not contact your insurance carrier.
You are eligible for Medicare on the first day of your birth month. However, if your birthday falls on the first day of the month, your coverage will start on the first day of the previous month. If you do not inform the Marketplace of your Medicare eligibility, you may have to pay back part or all of your subsidy for the months you were eligible for Medicare.
Call me with any questions about Medicare and our Medicare subsidies.
Thanks, Jim

A very important message to my clients:

On June 30, 2020, state question 802 passed expanding Medicaid coverage to adults whose income is 138% of the federal poverty level or lower. A chart with those income levels which is also based on family size, is included in this message. Starting July 1st these benefits will begin. If you and your family are receiving a subsidy from the Federal Marketplace and fall within the expanded Medicaid guidelines, you are no longer eligible for a marketplace plan which is subsidized. You will be responsible for the full unsubsidized premium.
Documents should be going out from the Federal Marketplace or the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority concerning this matter. Even if you do NOT receive the aforementioned documents, it is your responsibility to ascertain if you qualify for the expanded Medicare. If you do qualify, you should immediately end your subsidized marketplace coverage.
To help determine your eligibility for the expanded Medicaid, you can call the Sooner Care helpline at 1-800-987-7767. Tell them your taxable income and your family size, and they should determine your eligibility at that time.
It is important that you do this immediately, or within 30 days of any notice you receive from the Marketplace or Healthcare Authority.
If you continue to receive a Marketplace subsidy and are also eligible for Medicaid, you could be compelled to pay back the Federal subsidy.
Remember, make sure you qualify for Medicaid before ending your Marketplace plan!
If you have any other questions, feel free to call me at 405-720-0094.
-Jim


2021 SoonerCare Income Guidelines for Expansion Adults (effective: 07/01/2021)
SIZE OF
HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY INCOME ANNUAL INCOME
1 $1,483 $17,796
2 $2,004 $24,048
3 $2,526 $30,312
4 $3,049 $36,588
5 $3,571 $42,852
6 $4,092 $49,104
7 $4,615 $55,380
8 $5,130 $61,560
9 $5,652 $67,824
10 $6,175 $74,100
11 $6,696 $80,352
12 $7,218 $86,616
13 $7,741 $92,892
14 $8,263 $99,156
15 $8,784 $105,408
16 $9,307 $111,684
17 $9,829 $117,948
18 $10,350 $124,200
19 $10,874 $130,488
20 $11,395 $136,740

We are proud to say that our grandson Hayden graduated high school Friday! He is an awesome pitcher and an awesome kid. Great job, buddy!!!

With the economic impact payments (federal stimulus payments/checks) to taxpayers, who are also receiving subsidies to help pay for their Marketplace insurance, I am asked if the economic impact payments are taxable income?
The answer is no. The IRS stated that the economic impact payments are not considered taxable income. Thus, they should not affect your Marketplace subsidy.
If you have any other questions, contact your tax advisor, or feel free to call me anytime at 405.720.0094.
Again, do not hesitate to call me with any questions.
Thanks, Jim

A very important message to ALL my clients:
Recently the Federal Government created a "Special Enrollment Period" (SEP) from February 15th through May 15th for people who needed to enroll in a Marketplace Health Insurance plan and could not wait until next year for coverage to begin. That SEP has now been extended to August 15th. In addition, in the past, if you made over 400% of the federal poverty level (for example: $55,000 for an individual, $104,800 for a family of 4) you were not eligible for a subsidy to help pay your premiums. Under the new law, it does not matter how much you make, you will never have to pay over 8.5% of your adjusted gross income. In addition, other income level subsidies are somewhat higher. We can either re-enroll you, or you can receive the additional premium tax credit (if any) when you reconcile your 2021 federal income taxes, which I recommend.
Finally, if you or anyone you know has collected unemployment for as little as one week in 2021, you will be eligible for a more generous subsidy.
There are other changes in this law. Please call me with any and all questions.
Call me anytime.
Thanks, Jim
405.720.0094

An important message to my clients who are members of a recognized Native American Tribe:

The federal government has recently created a "Special Enrollment Period" from February 15th through May 15th for people who need to enroll in the Marketplace and can't wait until next year for coverage to begin. However, if you are a card carrying member of a recognized Native American Tribe, you can enroll into the Marketplace at any point in the year. Also, any subsidies you get are many times greater than the general non-Native population. For example, if a Native American buys a Marketplace plan, and their income is between 100% and 300% of that federal poverty level, they won't have to pay any out of pocket costs. If they fall into that category, the subsidies available will cover most, if not all the cost of your monthly premium. Call me with any questions about this subject.
I appreciate all of you.
Call me anytime.
Thanks, Jim

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Jim Cooke Insurance: The Right Coverage For You Ease your confusion on health insurance and get the help you need. We're here to tell you that Jim Cooke Insurance is advocating for you! Shelby had a chance to chat with Jim Cooke about enrollment and alternative medical plans. Give Jim Cooke Insurance a call at 405-720-0094. You can also find Jim....