Top Healthcare and Insurance Insights All in One Place

Unless you’re new to the internet, you’ve seen ambassador programs advertised. Amazon has one, as does eBay. The concept of every ambassador marketing program is the same: Content creators, from large publishers to bloggers and social media influencers, share customized links to their followers. Then, they earn a commission for any purchases made using their link.

To get the news out about HealthBird’s innovative app, we’ve started an ambassador program of our own: The HealthBird Ambassador Program. It’s not just for experienced content creators, either. Anyone can sign up because insurance is for everyone. You don’t need to have big connections or hundreds of followers on Instagram. Just tell your aunt, cousins, neighbors, and friends about HealthBird and start earning extra cash– All while helping people you care about to get the care they deserve.

Here’s how the Ambassador Program works

Step 1: Fill out a form to become an ambassador.

Anyone is eligible, so if you don’t have 50,000 followers, don’t worry. You’ll receive a unique referral link to track who clicks on it and signs up.

Step 2: Get approved and share your link.

Send it to your friends, family members, and anyone else you know who’s in the market for a new health insurance plan.

Step 3: Get paid.

You’ll earn commission for every member who converts in a health plan using your link within a 30-day window. It’s that easy.

Why it’s worth applying to be a HealthBird Ambassador?

Most ambassador programs are tricky to earn money from unless you already have a large following. That’s not the case here because we’re offering something priceless: A solution to a problem that almost everyone has experienced firsthand. Everyone needs health insurance, but choosing a plan is complicated and stressful. HealthBird takes the headache out of choosing a plan, and there’s no charge to use it.

Since it’s free, there’s no reason for your friends and neighbors not to try it out. Plus, it’s an easy sale: Anyone who becomes a HealthBird member has access to free features in addition to their new health insurance plan to put them in the driver’s seat of their own health. Book doctor’s appointments, get daily reminders for medications, add prescriptions, digital insurance cards, and more. What’s not to love?

We believe in our product so much that we’re offering one of the highest commission rates in the industry: $25 per enrolled member. Just a few referrals, and you’ll have earned yourself enough commission to upgrade your smartphone.

You also won’t have to figure out what to say all on your own. We can help! We provide support throughout the whole process and kickass in-house creatives to boost your campaign. If you have questions, just reach out to our Ambassador program manager for instant answers.

We did the math so you don’t have to

Refer just five people in a month, and you’ll have $475 extra in your pocket. Refer 10, and you’ll have nearly $1,000. The best part? You’ll actually be helping others to get the care they deserve, in the easiest way possible.

Apply to become an ambassador today, or email us at affiliates@healthbird.com

Why the enrollment period is so crucial not to miss?

When you buy a car, you can buy insurance anytime. (Just as long as you don’t get caught driving without it!) Health insurance works much differently. Open enrollment for health insurance is only offered once a year for a short period of time. For those who get insurance benefits through their workplace, open enrollment usually happens in the fall. Employers have some say over when open enrollment for the company is offered, so they’re responsible for notifying staff members in advance.

For those who buy their own health insurance, the open enrollment period starts on November 1. This year, the window to enroll has been extended through January 15th, so everyone has a little more time to choose a plan. You could wait until the last minute, but why would you? Choosing a plan is way easier than it seems, and if you start now, you’ll have more time to weigh your options.

So what happens if you miss it?

The answer isn’t great: You’ll likely be without health insurance for the rest of the year until the next open enrollment period. The only way to get health insurance outside of the open enrollment window is if you have a qualifying life event.
These include:

• Loss of existing health care coverage, like a plan provided by your school or employer
• Loss of eligibility for state-funded programs, like Medicare or Medicaid
• Losing coverage through a parent or guardian’s plan due to turning 26
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Having a death in the family
• Moving to another city

If none of those apply to you, you’re out of luck. Depending on which state you live in, you might get slapped with hefty fines, too. The Affordable Care Act is no longer enforcing tax penalties for not having insurance, but states can still opt to fine residents for going without. California residents, for example, can be fined at least $850 for a single adult without insurance.

In addition to fines, not having insurance is like playing with fire. If you happen to fall seriously ill or get injured, you’ll be on the hook for all your medical bills. Considering that just the ride to the hospital can cost about $1,200, it’s not worth the risk.

If you do miss open enrollment, check first to see if you have any qualifying life events. If not, check if you qualify for Medicaid. The elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and anyone earning below a certain income level are eligible, and you can enroll in Medicaid at any time. If you apply for it during open enrollment and are notified that you’re ineligible, you’ll have 60 days to enroll in a different health plan.

If all of these options fall through, consider signing up for a short-term health insurance plan.  This provides members a temporary option to bridge the gap until the next open enrollment period. Concierge medicine that offers online appointments, faster appointments, and no copays can also serve as a temporary option. Concierge medicine doesn’t cover hospital visits and surgeries, however. Even if you join a concierge plan, it’s important to enroll in a conventional health plan as soon as possible.

Look at open enrollment as an opportunity to revisit your health plan

Even if you have insurance now, open enrollment gives you a chance to reevaluate and pick a plan that fits your needs this year, not last. For example, if your allergies have gotten out of control, a PPO plan will give you the flexibility to see any allergist you want. If there’s a particular primary care doctor your best friend adores, now’s your chance to make a change. Change is good! Instead of seeing open enrollment as a stressful experience, see it as an opportunity to take great care of yourself this year.

Getting insurance is cheaper and easier than it used to be

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, some people who previously didn’t qualify for assistance in paying for health coverage are now eligible. Almost everyone qualifies for additional tax credits. In effect, health insurance premiums are lower across the board, and will stay that way through at least 2025.

Ready to get your health care needs squared away for this year? Let’s check that box off your to-do list. HealthBird makes it a breeze to compare your best options. Instead of skimming through confusing plan descriptions on your own, just answer a few questions, and our exclusive algorithm will generate a list of quotes that fit your needs to a tee.

Register now and try it out for yourself!

Need more help? Don’t sweat it. Call us +1 (833) 384-2473, and one of our experienced insurance experts will help you make an informed choice.

Health insurance plans are grouped into metal tiers. Each metal tier represents how you and your insurance provider will split the costs of medical care. At the end of the day, selecting the right one comes down to which one works the best for you.

What to know before picking a precious metal

Before you start shopping for health insurance plans, go through this quick checklist:

1. Review how much you’ll make this year

Those with a tight estimated yearly household budget may qualify for state-sponsored subsidies to help make your medical expenses more affordable. For example, If you’re between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level and choose only a Silver plan, you may qualify for additional tax subsidies to help reduce out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and annual maximums in addition to receiving premium tax credits.

2. Think about how much care you expect to use

Consider your age, health condition, and prescription medication needs. If you know you’ll be visiting the doctor often, springing for a more expensive plan is likely worth it.

3. Read up

Learn about how insurance plans work, including the differences between premiums, deductibles and copays.

4. Consider which providers you can’t live without

Make sure the insurance network you go with covers them. HealthBird makes this part a breeze.

Bronze, silver, gold or platinum? What’s the difference?

Most health insurance companies offer plans structured in metal tiers, from bronze to platinum. The more valuable the metal, the more coverage is included. The percentage of total average costs for covered benefits is known as the plan's actuarial value. If a plan advertises an actuarial value of 80%, for example, you’d be responsible for paying an average of 20% of all covered benefits.

The figures aren’t exact, varying from year to year depending on which services you use, but it provides a solid estimate of how much you can expect to pay for care. Typically, policies are structured with the following coverage:

• Platinum plans: 90% coverage, you pay 10%
• Gold plans: 80% coverage, you pay 20%
• Silver plans: 70% coverage, you pay 30%
• Bronze plans: 60% coverage, you pay 40%
• Catastrophic plans: Similar to a bronze plan, only with even lower premiums

Different insurance companies may offer slightly different percentages in each tier, but you get the idea. Just read the details of any plans you’re considering to see the exact breakdown. Keep in mind that metal tiers do not relate to the quality of care, but the cost of care. You’ll get the same care with a silver plan as with a platinum plan– You’ll just pay more out of pocket.

If a platinum plan offers the most coverage, why doesn’t everyone choose it?

Plans in higher metal tiers offer better coverage, but they also cost more per month. The monthly premium of a Gold plan is higher than that of a Bronze plan, but you’ll pay less at the doctor’s office when that pesky cold turns into a nagging sinus infection. The most expensive plan isn’t always the best fit, however. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a lower-tier plan with a lower monthly premium, as long as you plan ahead for higher medical expenses when you do need care.

Silver plans are known as the “benchmark” option because of their moderate monthly premiums and moderate costs when you need care. If you want to qualify for cost-sharing reductions, like reduced deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, you must choose a silver plan.

In a pinch, a catastrophic health plan is way better than nothing

Way, way better. Trust us. Catastrophic health insurance plans, also known as minimum coverage plans, are like the secret fifth option outside of the traditional tier system. They’re designed to protect young people in good health from worst-case health scenarios. They have the lowest premiums of all, and they have bare-bones coverage, but they’ll keep you from getting crushed by an avalanche of medical debt if you get seriously ill.

The exact coverage varies from state to state, but a common coverage breakdown looks something like this:

• Three no-cost doctor or urgent care visits
• Free preventative care
• No additional covered services until you spend thousands out of pocket, after which all in-network services are covered at 100%. The deductible varies from plan to plan, but most catastrophic plans require you to spend at least $5,000 before services are covered

These plans are usually available for people under the age of 30, but if you’re 30 or over, you can buy catastrophic coverage if you have a state-approved exemption. That said, it might be better to consider a bronze plan instead. The premium of a bronze plan is often similar to that of catastrophic coverage, and your deductible is usually lower with a bronze plan. You might also qualify for a cost reduction on a Bronze plan if you meet certain income requirements, while no discounts are offered for catastrophic plans.

What are the costs of each health plan?

Any plan you choose will have a monthly premium. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, monthly payments will reach record affordability this coming year. New financial assistance with premiums means that 4 out of 5 people will be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month. Wow! If you qualify for a premium tax credit — also known as a premium subsidy — this financial assistance will reduce your monthly bill.

The total costs of each plan will depend on what kind of plan you choose and how much you access care. Your monthly premium for the coverage year remains the same unless you have a change known as a qualifying life event. Beyond your monthly premium, there are other out-of-pocket expenses including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.  You can get all the details on the differences in our previous journal post.

Once you hit an annual limit, known as the out-of-pocket maximum, all covered services will be paid 100% by your insurance provider. This year’s marketplace plans, the out-of-pocket maximum is $9,100 for an individual and $18,200 for a family.

Not sure which plan to choose? It’s about to get a whole lot easier thanks to HealthBird

As a rule of thumb, if you use your health benefits frequently or have a pre-existing condition, springing for a higher-tier plan is worth it. If you only go for an annual physical unless you’re on the brink of death, a lower-tier plan may be a better match.

Step 1: Make a HealthBird account. It’ll only take a few minutes, we promise.

Step 2: Answer a few easy questions, and let our insurance search AI, Costa, do its magic. It’s like a virtual assistant available 24/7, and it’s free.

Step 3: Review your insurance quotes and weigh your options. You can always save your quotes for later if you need time to think them over.

Step 4: Reach out for help if you’re on the fence! Our concierge team is available seven days a week to point you in the right direction.

Step 5: Buy a plan, and get coverage this year. Plans starting as low as $0/month*. It’s that easy.

Step 6: Manage your coverage and care from your smartphone, all in the intuitive HealthBird app.

It’s that easy. To try out HealthBird, make an account in minutes, or contact us with questions.

** Individual exchange plans only if you qualify. Not an actual consumer quote. Premium rates vary based on state, income, and family size. Additionally, subsidies are subject to qualifications based on factors including but not limited to your state, household income, and household size. Policies have limitations and exclusions. Reflekt Technologies, Inc., DBA HealthBird, This website is operated by Reflekt Technologies, Inc. (DBA “HealthBird”); and insurance brokerage services are provided through Insurance Bird, LLC of Florida (“Insurance Bird”); NPN: 20422094