How Oscar Makes Money
Eric is currently a duly licensed Independent Insurance Broker licensed in Life, Health, Property, and Casualty insurance. He has worked more than 13 years in both public and private accounting jobs and more than four years licensed as an insurance producer. His background in tax accounting has served as a solid base supporting his current book of business.
Oscar Health is a startup health insurance company that uses technology to differentiate it from traditional insurance providers and providing access to medical professionals, including free doctor visits and 24/7 consultations, and assistance in creating an individualized team of healthcare professionals within its network.
Oscar insurance, which can be purchased on the “Obamacare” exchange program or directly from the company, also offers small group plans via Cigna in California, New York, and New Jersey. These plans offer access to Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and Catholic Health Services of Long Island. They include many of the individual offerings: free doctor-on-call service, free care team service, and no referral requirement to see specialists, as long as they are in-network.
What Health Insurance Does Oscar Offer
Oscar Health Insurance started by offering plans for individuals and families and then expanded to group health insurance in 2017 and Medicare Advantage plans in 2020. Customers can find high-deductible plans that include health savings accounts , but Oscar health plans for adults do not offer dental or vision coverage, unless its a Medicare Advantage plan.4 Pediatric plans, however, do include vision screenings and dental services.5 There are no copays or coinsurance with any Oscar plans.
The company aims to help customers choose the best plan for their individual needs by providing tiers for frequent, occasional or infrequent medical needs. Plans cover the ACAs 10 essential benefits, including preventive care, surgeries and hospitalizations, mental health, physical therapy, prescriptions, emergency services and lab work, among other services.
Here are examples of plan costs in Houston, TX:
Individual plan:
- Monthly Premium: $350.86 to $513.95.
Family of four:
- Annual out-of-pocket maximum: $5,000 to $8,550
- Deductible: $0 to $7,300
- Monthly premium: $1,125.92 to $1,649.18.6
The Oscar Medicare Advantage plan has premiums and deductibles as low as $0, $0 primary care visit copays, and $0 dental, vision and hearing benefits. It also includes membership in Silver & Fit fitness facilities nationwide and home fitness kits, which include a FitBit.
EPO Only
You May Qualify For Financial Assistance
Sometimes called a tax credit or subsidy, financial assistance is available for those who qualify to help pay for health insurance costs. You may qualify for:
- Lower monthly premiums
- Lower monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs for health care
Your household income, household size, and where you live determine if you are eligible for a tax credit. You could pay as little as $0/month for a high-quality health plan!
Use our online calculator to see if you qualify. If you are eligible for a tax credit, you will need to enroll at pennie.com.
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Oscar Health Insurance Pros And Cons
Oscar uses technology to make it simple for users to find medical professionals, along with free virtual and in-person doctor visits, plus consultations. It offers four plan tiers, all offering free preventive care and affordable drug prescriptions. The difference between the plans is in how much you pay versus how much your plan covers. Oscar’s in-depth customer service provides a “Care Team,” including three guides and a registered nurse, who is available to answer questions and help you find the best and most affordable localized care.
And there is no need for a referral to see specialists under Oscar’s plans.
As of January 2021, Oscar is available in only 18 states and 291 counties, so you are not eligible if you live outside of one of these locations. Another con, the reviews on the Better Business Bureau website are not all rosy, with some reviewers complaining about the system is slow to pay out claims.”
Expertise Of Victor Downing Aprn Fnp
- Biography
Victor Downing, APRN, FNP-C, is a certified family nurse practitioner with AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Shawnee Crossings, where he provides care for patients of all ages with a wide range of health needs.
Prior to joining AdventHealth, Victor spent seven years as an ICU registered nurse, working in both the medical ICU and the pediatric ICU. Since 2006, he has served as a nurse and medic in the United States Air Force and he has earned four prestigious medals for exemplary military service. He continues to serve the State of Kansas as an Air National Guardsman. His clinical experience also includes work in pediatrics, internal medicine and OB/GYN at health systems across our region.
Victor earned a Master of Science in nursing from Maryville University in St. Louis. When hes not at the office, he enjoys spending time with his family of five, watching and playing sports and watching movies.
Victor is now accepting new patients of all ages at our office in western Shawnee.
- Areas Served
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Are Oscar Health Plans Really Better
Oscar health insurance claims to offer better plans, better health care and a better experience for their members. Basic question Is this true? Obviously, that may depend on who you are comparing them to.
So Lets discuss these three bold claims that you can find on the home page of the Oscar website.
- Better Plans
- Better Experience
Are Video Visits With An Urgent Care Specialist Online Covered By Oscar Health Insurance Co
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Urgent Care who accept Oscar Health Insurance Co. for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
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The Future Of Oscar Health Insurance
With Oscar Health Insurance being founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Donald Trumpâs son-in-law Jared Kushner, the relationship between Oscar Health Insurance and the Affordable Care Act is a complex one. The goals of the ACAâoffering affordable employer-sponsored public health insurance to all Americansâpaved the way for getting health insurance innovators, such as digitally-driven Oscar Health, off the ground.
Despite many efforts by President Trump to dismantle the ACA, the legislation held up through the Trump administration with only minor changes. Meanwhile, Oscar has grown and expanded its partnership with many businesses. Thus far, Oscar continued to expand its availability and now reaches 18 states and 291 counties.
As of Jan. 31, 2021, Oscar states that it has 529,000 members across the U.S.
Wellcare And Oscar Enrollment Process
WellCare
You can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial. For Wellcare enrollment forms visit here.
Oscar
Oscar Health Insurance offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial.
Each state has its own marketplace. If youre not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.
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Is Oscar A Good Health Insurance
Oscar offers strong member benefits such as a doctor-on-call, cash reward health incentives, and concierge assistance from its customer service team. If you live in one of the 18 states where it is available, it might be a good fit, especially if you are looking for personal attention from your health insurance provider.
Aetna And Oscar Mobile Apps Options
The Aetna Health app allows you to find a doctor in your area and see estimates of what certain procedures may cost. You can also view your benefits, review account balances, and manage your claims. The App is available on ios and Android.
The Oscar app allows you to access your health information anytime you need it. It allows you to search for doctors & drugs and even have virtual visits with a doctor.
| Aetna Mobile App |
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Oscar Health Insurance Review
Oscar Health, a private health insurance company, is a relatively new face on the health insurance scene, but it is making quite a name for itself as an industry disruptor with its unique usage of technology to offer affordable health insurance. It was founded in 2012 in New York City by Mario Schlosser, Kevin Nazemi, and Josh Kushner. The health insurance startup has grown aggressively with several rounds of successful fundraising. Coverage is currently offered in 18 states.
Every Step Of The Way
- Affordable Coverage
Please be aware, if you dont obtain coverage, you may be penalized. The fines start at $325 per adult or two percent of your annual household income whichever is higher.
- Top-Ranked Care
To ensure you can access our award-winning care, please select from one of these AdventHealth-participant plans that are available through the Marketplace:
- Florida Blue BlueCare
To enroll in a Marketplace health-insurance plan, you must meet certain requirements:
- U.S. citizen or have legal immigration status
- Social Security, tax ID or immigration number for all household members
- Phone number and home address
- Evidence of income: 2013 tax return and/or recent pay stubs
- Email address and password
- Information about other health insurance coverage available to the household
- Financial Assistance
If you enroll in a Marketplace plan, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance if your income falls within these ranges:
- Individuals: $11,670 – 46,680
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Epo Plans With No Out
Oscar Health Plans offer only EPO coverage, not PPO. So there is no out-of-network coverage. Similarly, in many regions Anthem Blue Cross of California has stopped offering PPO and gone solely with EPO in order to compete better.
If youre wanting PPO out-of-network coverage, youll likely need to go with Blue Shield, Anthem or Health Net.
Carriers like Oscar negotiate rates and coverage with doctors, hospitals and provider networks. By limiting their coverage to in-network, they can keep their costs down and pass the savings on to their members. Also, this helps them compete in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
With EPOs, just like with a PPO, members never need a referral to see in-network providers. Members can see any doctor or specialist they wish without a referral from their Primary Care Physician .
Due to new mandates in California, all enrollees including Oscar Health Insurance members will be assigned a PCP within six months of enrollment. However, for those on EPOs and PPOs, this is just an added convenience to make healthcare more accessible.
Oscar plan members do not ever have to see their assigned Primary Care Physician. They can choose any other in-network doctor, and they can see a specialist without approval from their doctor.
Oscar Health Insurance: Our Thoughts
Oscar Insurance offers individual and business health insurance plans through its website and on state marketplaces. It has an Exclusive Provider Organization network, meaning that coverage from any provider in the network will be free or eligible for co-insurance from the company. However, if you go outside the provider network, you would have to pay extra or full price for services. The deadline to purchase health insurance through Oscar would be during the last day of the Obamacare open enrollment period. But you can also acquire coverage outside of this period if you have a qualifying life event. As with other insurers, health insurance through Oscar can be purchased with a credit card.
Oscar provides an easy search function for finding EPO providers. While visiting the website, interactive maps, reviews and ratings will pop up when you search for the type of coverage or prescription drugs you need. Then you can interact directly with the provider and plan a visit. Say you are looking for acupuncture options in New York City you would go online to the Oscar website, enter your ZIP code, and select the service you need to be provided from a list of qualified in-network acupuncture providers in your area.
Oscar offers health plans to a limited number of states and counties:
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How Is Oscar Health Insurance Rated
Since Oscar is among one of the relatively new health insurance providers, ratings on the company are sparse. A.M. Best and Standard & Poors have yet to rate Oscar Health Insurance, nor has Consumer Affairs. The company, however, has been rated elsewhere on customer satisfaction and on the number of patient complaints.
Oscar Ins Corp had 46 PPO complaints in 2019, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners .10
Oscar Health Insurance Plan Options & Costs
There are three levels of plans for individual health insurance that Oscar sells: Simple, Saver and Classic health policies. The main differences between policy levels are the out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles. Furthermore, the categories also differ in the size of co-pays and co-insurance for specific health services. This can include prescription drugs and specialty providers like dermatologists or therapists.
Although the plans have differences, they all are Affordable Care Act qualified health policies and thus cover the essential benefits. Under the legislation, this includes free preventative care, an annual physical, pregnancy services and certain forms of birth control.
Oscar plans do cover preventive lab testing, but it must be processed by Quest Diagnostics or another in-network laboratory to be covered. If you own or purchase an Oscar policy, make sure to ask your doctor to send any lab work to a preferred provider.
If you are looking to cancel your Oscar health policy you can do so either directly through Oscar or via your state health insurance marketplace. Sample policies below are based on plans offered in New York City. Deductibles and monthly premiums for these plans will vary depending on your county.
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Cigna + Oscar Authorization List
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| Durable Medical Equipment , Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies | High cost DME
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What Lab Does Oscar Insurance Use
Oscars preferred lab is Quest Diagnostics, which means your preventive labs will be free only if theyre processed at a Quest Diagnostics location in your state. Make sure to ask your doctor to have all labs processed at that location during your appointment to avoid getting charged for an out-of-network lab.
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Find The Lowest Prices Available On Oscar Medical Insurance Plans Or Get Discounts Through Our Covered California Options
Oscar Health Insurance is the new kid on the block. While they may be new, they bring a powerhouse full of intuitive technology tools that are designed to provide the best health care experience.
They were founded in 2013 as Oscar Health Plan of California.
Oscar Health Insurance was one of the two new carriers that joined Covered California the California State Exchange in 2016. Their coverage area included the southwest region of Los Angeles County and Orange County .
For 2018 Oscar will be moving into Northeast Los Angeles which is Region 15.
What To Know About Oscars Member Experience
Oscar emphasizes a digital-first front door for employees healthcare needs by offering a $0 and unlimited telemedicine service that is available 24/7. As an EPO, Oscars plans sit somewhere between an HMO and a PPO. Members have a primary care physician but can self refer to any specialist in the network, however, they have no out-of-network benefits. Key benefits include:
- Two networks: LocalPlus and Open Access Plus to find the right mix of providers and cost for your team.
- EPO design saves costs yet specialists can be seen without referrals.
- 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care: Hundreds of doctors are on call and available any time of the day for a $0 copay via the app.
- Personalized care team: Your team includes care guides, a nurse, and a physician to answer your questions and manage your care.
- Care navigation: Your care team helps you find the right doctor and care for your needs and in your area. You can also use tools to find care on your own.
- Prescriptions filled with Express Scripts from your phone
- Healthy minds, healthy bodies: behavioral health network for mental health care and resources, plus step-tracking rewards that can pay you up to $100 per year
To make the best use out of Oscar health insurance, members should take Oscars lead on the digital front. Download the app, connect with your care team, and get familiar with the platform.
And your care team doesnt stop at your doctor.
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Cignas Networks Expand Access
The Cigna + Oscar partnership first launched in Northern California and now boasts nearly 30,000 providers, 71 urgent care centers, and 78 hospitals, not to mention nationwide access. Key Bay Area hospital systems in the network include Sutter, UCSF, Stanford Health, El Camino, John Muir, HCA, and Dignity.
Recently launched in Southern California, Cigna + Oscar offers the Local Plus network, a more curated network than Open Access Plus, but still includes key providers such as HealthCare Partners, Scripps, St. Joseph, High Desert Medical Group, and others. For access to UCLA, USC, and Hoag, Oscars existing network provides members access to these excellent institutions.