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A message from the Executive Director

Click here for Assurant Affinity's GAMA Web Site

GAMA considered a number of insurance options and plans over the years, but none of them fulfilled all of our requirements. One of our key requirements, coverage in all 50 states, proved impossible. When our Board of Directors reviewed Assurant Affinity’s program, brought to us by Marcello Figueroa, they felt that it met the majority of the organization’s requirements, including affordability, coverage, and cost. Assurant Affinity fell short in only one key area: they couldn’t cover our members in all 50 states. Still, the Board decided that covering almost everybody was better than nothing, so they instructed us to move ahead and implement the plan. I’m glad they did. This is a great benefit for the majority of our members.

The chalanges are:
Assurant Affinity provides individual coverage in all states except: HI, WA state, ME, VT, and RI.
Assurant Affinity provides group coverage in all states except: HI, WA state, and VT.
(You should check out their Web site for the best and most-current information.)

For New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, Assurant Affinity gives GAMA members access to partner companies who, they tell us, will treat you very well.

How are the rates? Pretty good! By working together as a buying group through Assurant Affinity, we get rates comparable to a large company with a huge number of employees.

I invite you to check out the GAMA health plan. We're pleased and proud to present it to you.

Anthony J. Gallela
Executive Director, GAMA

Click here for Assurant Affinity's GAMA Web Site

Insurance Primer

Before you dive right in and call for your quote from Assurant Affinity, here are a few helpful thoughts to make the process easier.

Definitions

A “premium” is what you pay per month to the health care provider for coverage.

A “deductible” is the part of the medical bill that you pay before the insurance company pays the rest (within the guidelines of the health care plan).

A “Large Group Rate Discount” is the 30 to 50 percent reduced rate on health care premiums that you may receive as a GAMA member.

A “Small Group” is (as a general rule) two or more GAMA members that work at the same address (office, retail store, etc.) for the same employer. Small group plans generally have open enrollment, which means that most pre-existing conditions will not automatically disqualify a potential subscriber. Contact Assurant Affinity for more information.

An “Individual” is a single person. This applies most to freelance writers, artists and game designers, as well as remote employees of virtual based businesses. Potential subscribers can be disqualified from Individual plans for pre-existing conditions. Contact Assurant Affinity for more information.

A “Family Plan” may pertain to the spouse and/or children of either a member of a small group or an individual.

Eligibility

All levels of GAMA membership have access to this benefit. However, geographic restrictions and pre-existing health conditions may disqualify a potential subscriber from these benefits. Check with Affinity for those details.

Cost Savings

Certain states have highly competitive markets for low health care premiums. For those members utilizing this health care benefit, even though your premium through Assurant Health will carry a Large Group Rate discount, it is remotely possible that Assurant Health or its licensed partners cannot quote you a better rate than what is available from other providers in your state.

Health Savings Accounts

Created by the 2003 Medicare Reform Bill, the Health Saving Account, or HSA, is the most key feature that can save you money on your health care costs. An HSA is like any other bank account except that it’s used to pay your deductible and/or other medical expenses. You get a debit card and a check book. AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING MONEY INTO IT. HSA accounts earn interest at a better rate than most banks, and the money rolls over every year that you maintain the account…after all, it’s your money.

Deposits into an HSA are pre-taxed dollars (thus lowering your taxable earned income at tax time), and withdrawals from an HSA are also tax free as long as they are used to pay qualified medical expenses. “Qualified” basically means within the scope of your health care plan.

Assurant has a button right on the home page of our site with them with info on HSAs. We highly recommend you take a look at this option.

Assurant Affinity's GAMA Web Site

Hints and Tips

By Marcelo A. Figueroa

Hints, Tips, and Tricks #1

Used in combination, the PPO and HSA will save you the most money on your health care costs. Here’s how – a general rule of thumb in insurance is that by taking a higher deductible (higher financial responsibility on your part), you will get a lower premium. By getting a lower premium, you will have greater discretionary income. Part of this greater discretionary income can be used to invest in your HSA, up to the annual maximum.

If, for example, this health care benefit saves you $400 per month on your health care costs, just for being a GAMA member, isn’t it worth $217 of that savings per month to be deposited in your HSA? After all, that’s $2600 per year that the IRS will never get a piece of.

So, when requesting a quote from Assurant Affinity, make sure to look into the PPO and HSA option.

Hints, Tips and, Tricks #2

So, what’s covered in this PPO plan? That question is better answered by an Assurant Affinity representative. However, here are some questions you may want to ask just to make sure they quote you the plan that best suits your health care needs.

Can I add vision and dental to my plan?
Does this plan cover my prescription for __________?
Does this plan cover alternative treatments/homeopathic medicine (acupuncture/pressure, therapeutic massage, midwifery, chiropractic, etc.)?
Does this plan include nutritionist/dietician consultations?
Are OB/GYN appointments counted as office visits?
Do I need to get a referral to see a specialist?
Does pregnancy count as a pre-existing condition?
Does prescription managed diabetes/high blood pressure count as a pre-existing condition?
Does this plan’s coverage extend outside of the United States?

Assurant Affinity's GAMA Web Site