Top Healthcare and Insurance Insights All in One Place
Held on April 21st, the conference eMerge America is the most significant tech event that brought together more than 10,000 attendees, 400 participating companies, and 200 speakers to Miami, FL.
The conference was founded in 2014 to establish Miami as a global technology by Manny Medina, a serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of Terremark. This cloud computing company was acquired by Verizon in 2011 for $1.4 billion.
Medina started eMerge Americas as an opportunity to showcase Miami's potential and to connect the city with other global tech hubs. The conference has since grown to become one of the premier tech events in the world.
As a Miami-based company, it was an honor to showcase HealthBird and compete with the best teams for the opportunity to get $420,000 investment from Florida Funders, Panoramic Ventures, and eMerge Americas.
After two days of pitching, our member-centric solution to healthcare and successful traction made HealthBird anonymously voted winner of the competition.
We showed angel investors, top VC funds, and industry leaders why personalized healthcare is the key to improving the healthcare industry across the country and what it can do when technology streamlines it properly. Our tailored plan selection, remote monitoring, coaching, and support, all powered by data analytics and AI, are just a few ways we accomplish this.
Winning in Miami, a city rapidly becoming a global technology hub and our hometown, was especially meaningful. This is a massive achievement, and we couldn't have done it without the support of our fantastic team and, of course, our wonderful HealthBird community. The trust in HealthBird and commitment to the mission to put healthcare back in the hands of the people who matter most - members - has been invaluable.
Participating in the eMerge Americas conference was an amazing experience, and winning further motivated to continue developing HealthBird as a robust health insurance platform.
HealthBird team appreciates the support throughout this thrilling journey!
The annual January 15th Open Enrollment deadline for health insurance has come and gone. If you missed it, however, don’t feel bad! There are so many reasons to lose your health coverage or miss the deadline. Luckily, there are other options out there for those who are still uninsured. If that’s the case for you, the Special Enrollment period is the first option to investigate. If you qualify for Special Enrollment, however, you have another chance to sign up for affordable, subsidized medical health insurance instead.
Getting health insurance provides financial peace of mind in case of medical emergencies. Even better, all health plans provide annual wellness visits free of charge, so you can proactively take care of yourself without breaking the bank. Figuring out if you qualify for Special Enrollment only takes a few minutes, so let’s break it down.
What is a Special Enrollment period?
There are certain circumstances that may lead to you losing your existing health insurance coverage. When a major life change leaves you uninsured, there’s a safety net: The Special Enrollment period. A Special Enrollment period gives anyone with a Qualifying Life Event an opportunity to apply for a health plan, even if the Open Enrollment period is over.
Special Enrollment periods last for 60 days following a Qualifying Life Event, so if something major happens, you have about two months to get your health insurance ducks in a row.
If you can check off one or more of the following boxes, you most likely qualify:
- You lost health insurance coverage because you no longer qualify for state-sponsored low-income health coverage, like Medicaid, employer-sponsored coverage, coverage provided by the military, or student health coverage
- You moved to a new zip code
- You turned 26 and lost health coverage through your parent's plan
- You got married, divorced, or entered a domestic partnership
- You had a baby or adopted a child
- You gained citizenship or lawful presence
- Your status as a dependent has changed
There are a few other qualifying circumstances, and the best way to find out if you qualify is by filling out an application. No matter how you apply, gather important documents first, like your ID, Social Security Card, tax information, and proof of the Qualifying Life Event. You’ll need them during the application process, which should take no more than an hour.
Applying for insurance can be done within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event, and sooner is always better. While it’s not the only way to apply, HealthBird streamlines the enrollment process so you can get coverage as quickly as possible.
The pros of checking if you qualify are endless. There’s a good chance you’ll qualify for income-based cost-share options that reduce the price of your plan. Yes, cheap (or even free!) health insurance is a real option, and it makes life so much easier. Without it, you’ll be on the hook for any surprise medical expenses. No, thank you!
As for the cons? Well, there really aren’t any. If you aren’t eligible, you can move on to other, more options, like continuing health insurance from your prior employer through COBRA. You can also look into short-term health insurance plans to hold you over until open enrollment rolls around again.
Ready to sign up for Special Enrollment? It’s easier than you think
A Special Enrollment period is a perfect opportunity to get the coverage you deserve. In some cases, you might even qualify for Medicaid. Find out your options in three easy steps.
- Fill out your information on HealthBird’s streamlined registration page.
- Review a list of curated plan options based on your income, insurance needs, and priorities
- Enroll, providing documentation of your Qualifying Life Event.
Applying for a Special Enrollment Period is easy with the right tools, and HealthBird is the best one around. HealthBird does all of the hard work for you, saving time at every step of the process. Try it today, or reach out for more help.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: The HealthBird App is rolling out, and more amazing features are coming along with it. Our members will still be able to enroll in healthcare plans via desktop platform, but now you’ll have even more tools at your fingertips to manage your health.
A sneak peak of the HealthBird app
The entire point of HealthBird is to make taking care of yourself easier. For that reason, we’re adding new app features gradually to make sure each one has undergone plenty of user testing and works flawlessly before we share it with all of you.
HealthBird's app now offers incredible features like direct appointment booking with doctors, a free Rx discount card, and comprehensive medication management. All these tools, along with digital insurance cards for all your policies, including dental, vision, and hearing, are conveniently available in one place.
Simply log in to your HealthBird account when you open the app to access these functionalities. Your digital ID cards are readily accessible on your phone, ensuring you never misplace or forget them. Easily upload documents to expedite insurance authorizations, bypassing the delay of traditional mail.
The app is user-friendly and free for all HealthBird members.
New to HealthBird? Enroll in a health plan during open enrollment or whenever you need coverage, and enjoy these amazing features right away.
It’s beautiful, really, and so is what’s coming next.
Every few weeks, we’ll be adding something new, and you’ll love the next feature scheduled for launch.
HealthBird members can now effortlessly book appointments directly through the app, finding covered providers in their area without the need for any phone calls. Yes, all healthcare-related visits can now be conveniently scheduled using the app.
We've introduced a complimentary Rx discount card, offering savings of up to 65% on medications. Now, conveniently compare medication costs using your insurance and Rx discounts in one place, enabling you to make well-informed decisions.
This is your year. Make it the best one yet by putting yourself first, starting from the inside out. If you haven’t enrolled yet, do it now to make the most of the HealthBird app’s benefits.
Download the HealthBird app today, available AppStore, Google Play Store.