Why Do I need an Agent?
Why should I use Insurance Connection USA?
When I buy an insurance plan, how do I make payments?
If I apply am I obligated to buy?
Do you offer the best prices?
What is short-term health insurance?
What Is Cobra Continuation Coverage?
How does the H.S.A. Work?
Why Do I need an Insurance Agent?
As your agent, we help you manage and understand your policy while keeping our eye on industry trends, ultimately saving you lots of time and money.
Think of us as your personal insurance experts. We’re here to help you, whatever your needs.
You can also use our online quoting system to do your shopping without consulting a person if you have questions a local agent is available to help. Get a quote now.
With hundreds of insurance companies doing business within the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado our job is to do the shopping for you. We represent many different insurance companies; we compare coverage and pricing to find you the best situation for your individual wants and needs.
By offering you a wide choice of plans and programs, we can save you time, money and frustration by being your personal advocate for your personal & commercial insurance needs. We specialize in Homeowners, Auto, Commercial, Life, Health, & Financial Services.
Why should I use Insurance Connection USA?
By combining the localized knowledge of our local agents with the broad experience and comprehensive understanding of a professional insurance agency, we are able to offer our clients:
More Choices. Because we are an insurance agency and not an insurance company, we can offer plans from multiple insurance companies. We offer a broad selection of insurance companies and plans, which allows you to find the plan that best fits your needs.
More Savings. Insurance rates are filed with and regulated by your state’s Department of Insurance. Whether you buy from Insurance Connection or directly from the insurance company, you’ll pay the same monthly premium for the same plan.
When I buy an insurance plan, how do I make payments?
When you choose an insurance plan that fits your needs and budget, the payments are paid directly to the insurance company. Most offer monthly EFT payment options.
If I apply am I obligated to buy?
No, all health and life insurance applications go through underwriting and the insurance company will make a final offer to accept you at the quoted rate or increase the rate or place riders on the policy. You are not buying the policy until you accept the final offer.
Do you offer the best prices?
Prices are fixed by law – you can not find a better price anywhere for the same product.
What is short-term health insurance?
Short-term health insurance plans provide coverage for a limited period of time, and may be an ideal solution for those between jobs or those waiting for other health insurance to start. Typically, short-term plans offer coverage up to six months, and you can usually renew the plan for an additional 6 month period.
What Is Cobra Continuation Coverage?
Congress passed the landmark Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)1 health benefit provisions in 1986. The law amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to require most group health plans to provide a temporary continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated.
Group Health Plans Subject to COBRA
COBRA generally applies to all private-sector group health plans maintained by employers that have at least 20 employees on more than 50 percent of its typical business days in the previous calendar year. Both full- and part-time employees are counted to determine whether a plan is subject to COBRA. Each part-time employee counts as a fraction of a full-time employee, with the fraction equal to the number of hours that the part-time employee worked divided by the hours an employee must work to be considered full time.
Companies in Texas with less than 20 full-time employees are subject to the State Continuation rules. Most of the insurance companies manage the state continuation process for employers. The support staff of AR Garrison & Associates will also assist employers to make sure they are in compliance.
How does the H.S.A. Work?
A Health Savings Account is an interest-bearing bank account you may set up with a financial institution. Participation in a Health Savings Account (HSA) is limited to those enrolled in a HDHP qualified health plan.
Companies can partner with a bank to allow employees to make pre-tax payroll contributions into their HSA account. The money that is deposited into an HSA account is the employee’s money to use for any qualified medical expense. Contributions to an HSA account cannot exceed the IRS contribution limits. You do not have to use any of the money deposited into the HSA on an annual basis. Your account balance will roll over each year without a penalty on a tax-deferred basis.
Health Savings Account Facts
CONTRIBUTIONS How much can I contribute to my HSA? The maximum annual contribution that an individual, with individual coverage, can make to an HSA is $3,050 for 2011. In the case of a family, with family coverage, the maximum annual contribution is $6,150 for 2011. The deductible contribution is not limited to the annual deductible under the high deductible health plan.
How much may I contribute to the account if I establish my HDHP after January 1, 2011? An individual or family, who are covered under an HDHP in a month other than January, may make a full HSA contribution for the year as long as certain conditions are met. However, if you cease to remain an eligible individual throughout 2011, the extra amount contributed is included in income and subject to an additional 10 percent tax; the 12-month rule.
Example:
An individual enrolls in an HDHP in December of 2011 and is otherwise an eligible individual in that month. The individual is not an eligible individual in any other month in 2011. The individual can make an HSA contribution for 2011 as if he or she had been enrolled in the HDHP for all of 2011. If the individual ceases to be an eligible individual (e.g., if he or she ceases to be covered under an HDHP) in June 2011, an amount equal to the HSA deduction attributable to treating the individual as an eligible individual for January through November 2011 is included in the individual’s income in 2011.
Distributions
How do I make withdrawals (or take distributions) from my HSA? You can make tax-free withdrawals (also known as distributions) from your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time during the year. When your account is opened, you receive a debit card and checks for easy access to your funds. However, you do not have to make withdrawals from your HSA each year. Your contributions remain in your HSA from year-to-year until you use them. If you make withdrawals for non-qualified medical expenses or for other reasons, the amount withdrawn will be subject to income tax and may be subject to an excise tax as well. Please keep in mind you should track all of your withdrawals from your HSA so you can supply documentation on your expenditures if needed.