If you have AmeriHealth insurance and you want to cancel it for any reason, you might be wondering how to do it. Cancelling your health insurance can be a complicated process, especially if you don’t know what steps to follow or what documents to prepare. In this blog post, we will explain how to cancel AmeriHealth insurance in a simple and easy way.
Why would you want to cancel AmeriHealth insurance?
There are many reasons why you might want to cancel your AmeriHealth insurance. Some of them are:
1. You are not satisfied with the coverage, benefits, or customer service of AmeriHealth.
2. You have found a better or cheaper health insurance plan from another provider.
3. You have become eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or another government program that offers health insurance.
4. You have moved out of the service area of AmeriHealth or they have stopped offering prescription drug coverage in your area.
5. You have experienced a life change, such as getting married, divorced, having a baby, losing a job, or retiring, that affects your health insurance needs.
Whatever your reason is, you have the right to cancel your AmeriHealth insurance at any time. However, there are some rules and consequences that you should be aware of before you make your decision.
Read: How To Cancel Ambetter Insurance
What are the rules and consequences of cancelling AmeriHealth insurance?
Depending on the type of plan you have, there are different rules and consequences for cancelling your AmeriHealth insurance. Here are some of them:
1. Individual or Family Plan
If you have an individual or family plan that you bought on the health insurance marketplace (such as healthcare.gov or a state marketplace), you can cancel your plan online by logging into your marketplace account, selecting “My Plans & Programs”, and hitting “End (Terminate) All Coverage”. You can also call the marketplace customer service center and request a cancellation.
You will need to set your coverage end date and follow the final instructions to cancel your plan. You can cancel your plan at any time during the year, but you will not be able to enroll in another plan until the next open enrollment period, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a qualifying life event.
If you cancel your plan before the end of the month, you will still have to pay the full premium for that month. If you cancel your plan after the 15th of the month, your coverage will end on the last day of the following month.
If you cancel your plan without having another source of health insurance, you may have to pay a penalty for being uninsured when you file your taxes.
2. Employer-Sponsored Group Plan
If you have an employer-sponsored group plan, you can cancel your plan by contacting your employer’s human resources department and filling out a cancellation request form. You will need to provide your name, identification number, group number, and date of cancellation.
Your employer will notify AmeriHealth of your cancellation and stop deducting premiums from your paycheck. You can cancel your plan at any time during the year, but you may lose access to other benefits that are tied to your employment, such as dental or vision insurance.
You may also be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, which allows you to keep your group plan for up to 18 months after leaving your job, but you will have to pay the full premium yourself. If you cancel your plan without having another source of health insurance, you may have to pay a penalty for being uninsured when you file your taxes.
3. Medicare Advantage plan
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Part C) from AmeriHealth, you can cancel your plan by calling AmeriHealth’s member services department at 1-888-457-3007 (TTY/TDD: 1-888-457-3002) from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week.
You can also send a written request to AmeriHealth Advantage P.O. Box 7576 Philadelphia PA 19101-7576 or fill out an online disenrollment form on their website. You will need to provide your name, identification number, date of birth, and date of cancellation. You can cancel your plan during certain times of the year, such as the annual enrollment period (from October 15 to December 7), the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (from January 1 to March 31), or a special enrollment period (if you qualify due to a certain situation).
If you cancel your plan before the end of the month, your coverage will end on the last day of that month. If you cancel your plan after the first day of the month, your coverage will end on the last day of the following month.
If you cancel your plan without enrolling in another Medicare plan, you will automatically revert back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), but you may lose access to prescription drug coverage (Part D) and other benefits that are offered by AmeriHealth Advantage.
How to find another health insurance plan after cancelling AmeriHealth insurance?
If you decide to cancel your AmeriHealth insurance, you should look for another health insurance plan that meets your needs and budget as soon as possible. There are many options available in the market, such as:
1. Another individual or family plan from a different provider that offers better coverage, benefits, or prices than AmeriHealth. You can compare plans and prices on the health insurance marketplace or through an online broker like Policygenius.
2. A government program that provides free or low-cost health insurance for people who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as Medicare (for people who are 65 years old or older), Medicaid (for people who have low income), CHIP (for children who do not qualify for Medicaid), or VA health care (for veterans and their families).
3. A short-term health insurance plan that provides temporary coverage for up to 12 months while you look for a long-term solution. These plans are usually cheaper than regular plans but offer less comprehensive coverage and do not comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards.
4. A health sharing ministry that allows members who share similar religious beliefs or values to pool their money and pay each other’s medical bills. These organizations are not regulated by the government and do not guarantee coverage or benefits.
Factors to Consider before Choosing Alternative to AmeriHealth Insurance
Before choosing another health insurance plan after cancelling AmeriHealth insurance, make sure to do your research and compare different options carefully. Consider factors such as:
1. The monthly premium: This is how much you pay every month for having health insurance.
2. The deductible: This is how much you pay out of pocket before your health insurance starts paying for covered services.
3. The coinsurance: This is how much you pay as a percentage of the cost of covered services after meeting your deductible.
4. The copayment: This is how much you pay as a fixed amount for certain covered services.
5. The out-of-pocket maximum: This is how much you pay in total for covered services in a year before your health insurance pays 100% of the cost.
6. The network: This is the list of providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.) that are contracted with your health insurance company and offer lower rates for their services.
7. The formulary: This is the list of drugs that are covered by your health insurance company and how much they cost.
8. The benefits: This is what services and items are covered by your health insurance company and how much they pay for them.
Conclusion
Cancelling AmeriHealth insurance can be a complex process that involves following certain rules and facing some consequences. However, if you are unhappy with your current plan or have found a better option elsewhere, it might be worth it. Just make sure to find another health insurance plan that suits your needs and budget as soon as possible after cancelling AmeriHealth insurance.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand how to cancel AmeriHealth insurance in a simple and easy way. If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please feel free to leave them below.
