https://options.health/blog/ Health insurance, Medicare, life insurance, and employer benefits guides from Options.Health in Chaska, MN. en-us Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://options.health/blog/aca-subsidy-changes-2026-minnesota.html https://options.health/blog/aca-subsidy-changes-2026-minnesota.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Industry & Community Federal subsidy rules are shifting again, and the size of the change depends heavily on income and household size. Here's what we know so far and how to check your own exposure before rates are finalized. https://options.health/blog/medicare-annual-enrollment-period-2026-key-dates.html https://options.health/blog/medicare-annual-enrollment-period-2026-key-dates.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Medicare AEP runs October 15 to December 7, and most people never open their renewal notice. Here's the short list worth checking — formulary changes, provider network updates, and whether your plan's star rating dropped. https://options.health/blog/group-health-insurance-renewal-questions-mn-employers.html https://options.health/blog/group-health-insurance-renewal-questions-mn-employers.html Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Group & Employer Benefits A renewal that just shows up in your inbox with a new rate is not a plan review. Here are the five questions we ask on every group renewal before recommending a business simply accept the increase. https://options.health/blog/open-enrollment-2027-minnesota-families.html https://options.health/blog/open-enrollment-2027-minnesota-families.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Health Insurance Open Enrollment feels far away until it isn't. Here's what to gather now — income estimates, provider lists, prescription names — so the actual enrollment appointment takes twenty minutes instead of two hours. https://options.health/blog/term-vs-whole-life-insurance-minnesota-family.html https://options.health/blog/term-vs-whole-life-insurance-minnesota-family.html Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Life Insurance The internet will tell you "10x your salary" and stop there. Here's a more useful way to think about the number, and why term and whole life solve different problems entirely. https://options.health/blog/medicare-advantage-vs-medigap-carver-county.html https://options.health/blog/medicare-advantage-vs-medigap-carver-county.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Medicare Neither one is universally "better" — they trade off in opposite directions on cost, flexibility, and network. Here's how we help clients figure out which trade-off actually fits their life. https://options.health/blog/qsehra-vs-ichra-small-business-minnesota.html https://options.health/blog/qsehra-vs-ichra-small-business-minnesota.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Group & Employer Benefits Both let a small employer reimburse employees for individual coverage tax-free instead of sponsoring a group plan — but the eligibility rules and contribution limits are different enough to change which one fits. https://options.health/blog/mnsure-subsidy-change-how-to-check.html https://options.health/blog/mnsure-subsidy-change-how-to-check.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Health Insurance A subsidy amount that was accurate in January can be wrong by summer if your income, household size, or the benchmark plan in your county changed. Here's how to check before it becomes a surprise at tax time. https://options.health/blog/final-expense-insurance-explained.html https://options.health/blog/final-expense-insurance-explained.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Life Insurance A small, simplified-issue whole life policy built for one purpose — covering funeral and end-of-life costs without burdening family. Here's what it actually costs and when it makes more sense than a larger policy. https://options.health/blog/cms-2027-medicare-advantage-rate-changes.html https://options.health/blog/cms-2027-medicare-advantage-rate-changes.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Industry & Community CMS's annual rate announcement shapes what Medicare Advantage carriers can offer next year, from premiums to supplemental benefits. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what changed and what to watch for locally. https://options.health/blog/turning-65-minnesota-medicare-enrollment-timeline.html https://options.health/blog/turning-65-minnesota-medicare-enrollment-timeline.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Medicare Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months wide, but missing the right window inside it can mean permanent penalties. Here's the timeline broken down month by month, plus what to do if you're still working. https://options.health/blog/small-business-health-benefits-without-group-plan-chaska.html https://options.health/blog/small-business-health-benefits-without-group-plan-chaska.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Group & Employer Benefits A full group plan isn't always realistic for a five-person shop. Here's how local employers are using ICHRA and defined contribution arrangements to offer real benefits without the overhead. https://options.health/blog/individual-vs-family-health-plans-premium-minnesota.html https://options.health/blog/individual-vs-family-health-plans-premium-minnesota.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Health Insurance Marketplace pricing per person isn't as simple as multiplication. Here's how adding dependents actually moves your premium and subsidy, and when splitting coverage across two plans can save money. https://options.health/blog/life-insurance-after-50-policy-review.html https://options.health/blog/life-insurance-after-50-policy-review.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Life Insurance The policy you bought at 30 was built for a different life. Here's how to review coverage as kids move out, mortgages shrink, and retirement income planning becomes the bigger question.