Best Health Insurance Agencies in Oakland

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Oakland Health Insurance Agencies on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

Providers

= Featured Provider

Larry Sneed

11881 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619

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Yelp 5.0 ( 8 ) Google 4.0 ( 5 )

Why choose this provider?

Larry Sneed is an insurance agent under State Farm and he has been providing insurance services to clients around Oakland and the surrounding areas since 1972. The insurance products include home, property, auto, business, life, and health, as well as annuities, mutuals funds, and banking. Various health insurance options are offered to individuals, families, and senior citizens such as supplemental health, individual medical, and Medicare supplement. Disability insurance may also cover expenses such as a mortgage, car loans, and rent.

Brady-Harbord-Payne Insurance Brokers

3608 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610

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Google 3.0 ( 3 ) Yelp 5.0 ( 1 )

Why choose this provider?

Brady-Harbord-Payne Insurance Brokers is an independent insurance agency serving individuals and businesses in Oakland. The agency has been in business since 1986, providing clients with health insurance, life insurance, property insurance, and commercial insurance policies. Agents work with clients to understand their needs and find the policy that best suits their short- and long-term objectives. They will also provide a competitive analysis of different coverage options so clients can determine the most appropriate fit to their specifications.

John Baskett Insurance Services

2601c Blanding Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501

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John Baskett Insurance Services assists with the insurance needs of residents and businesses in the vicinity of Oakland. Its agents help narrow down insurance choices for clients. Moreover, it helps clients compare benefits and rates to find the one that will match their needs. It carries health insurance plans like POS, PPOs, HMOs, and HDHPs. It also offers all Medicare parts and supplements for seniors. Additionally, it provides insurance plans for individuals, families, and groups. The company has been serving the community since 1978.

Caffrey Insurance Solutions

2413 Webb Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501

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Yelp 5.0 ( 83 ) Google 5.0 ( 6 ) Facebook 5.0 ( 2 )

Why choose this provider?

Caffrey Insurance Solutions is a family-founded business that handles the health insurance needs of Oakland individuals and businesses. Its founder, Lynn Caffrey, has 42 years of experience in the insurance industry. The company assists its clients in acquiring the best insurance policy that suits their budget and current situation. It focuses on providing health plans for employees, including life, vision, dental, chiropractic, and acupuncture coverage. In addition, it streamlines the enrollment process through its customized management portal.

Hartman Insurance

1100 Peach Street, Alameda, CA 94501

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Facebook 4.9 ( 20 ) Google 5.0 ( 3 )

Why choose this provider?

Hartman Insurance is an agency that has been in the industry for more than three decades. Its founder, Harry Hartman, has been delivering insurance solutions for clients in Oakland for over 25 years. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and National Association of Life Underwriters. He offers health insurance plans for groups and individuals from different insurance carriers like Kaiser, Blue Cross, and United HealthCare. Other products include life insurance, long-term care, and vision plan.

Halbrook Insurance Agency

1433 Leimert Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94602

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Yelp 4.0 ( 35 ) Google 5.0 ( 9 )

Why choose this provider?

Headquartered in Oakland, Halbrook Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency that provides insurance services to residents and businesses in Oaktown and the surrounding communities. It carries insurance plans like health insurance, long-term care, Medicare, and Medicare supplement. Additionally, it provides commercial insurance packages like business owner’s insurance, commercial general liability, cyber liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, and commercial property insurance. Moreover, it offers EPLI that protects businesses from employee lawsuits that include sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and negligent evaluation.

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FAQs

Introduction

If you're looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, an agent can help you save time, understand your options, and manage your costs. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. They can provide information about on- and off-exchange plans to help you weigh all of your options, and they can see if you qualify for tax credits that can lower your monthly premiums. There's no cost to work with an agent, and they can help you save quite a bit by recommending the best plan for your needs. Here's what you should know before you get started.

How can you apply for health insurance for low-income individuals in Oakland?

Yes, you can apply for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, to get health insurance for low-income people in Oakland. You can apply online through Covered California's website at https://www.coveredca.com/, in person at your local county office, over the phone, or download and submit your application to the county social services office.

Can health insurance providers deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions in Oakland?

Health insurance providers in Oakland are prohibited from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. However, some policies may have an exclusion period that delays coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to a year from the policy's start date. If your previous insurance ended within the last two months, this exclusion period may be shorter.

What should you do if your health insurance claim is denied in Oakland?

If your Oakland health insurance claim is denied, you should first understand why. Contact your insurance provider for more information and to discuss your appeal options. If there was an error, you can ask your healthcare provider to correct and resubmit the claim. Gather all relevant documentation, then submit an internal appeal to your insurance company, asking them to reconsider the denial. If necessary, you can request an external review.

Can you keep your health insurance coverage if you lose your job in Oakland?

If you lost your job in Oakland, you have the right to continue using your former employer's health insurance plan under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). When your employer-sponsored benefits expire, you have 60 days to enroll in COBRA. Furthermore, you may be eligible for COBRA even if you resign from your job or work fewer hours. Other qualifying circumstances include divorce from or the death of the primary covered employee.

Is mental health coverage required in health insurance plans in Oakland?

Yes, health insurance plans in Oakland must comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations, which require them to offer mental health coverage that is equivalent to coverage for physical health services. However, it’s important to note that the in-network providers and covered services can vary based on the specifics of your insurance plan.

How can you find affordable health insurance?

Affordable insurance is available through employers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers subsidies in the form of tax credits. You can also purchase coverage through private insurance companies and independent agents. Nearly half of all Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, and about 10% of the population is uninsured.

What is health insurance?

Health insurance policies are contracts that require an insurer to pay some or all of a beneficiary's health care expenses in exchange for a premium and deductible. Plans cover preventive care and emergency medical services arising from an injury or illness. They may also offer optional coverage for dental and vision.

How do health insurance companies make money?

Health insurance companies make money by collecting premiums from consumers and reinvesting the funds. Federal law requires insurers to put approximately 80-85% of collected funds toward claims, and 15-20% is used to pay for administrative expenses.

What is subsidized health insurance?

Subsidized health insurance is available exclusively through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This system applies federal tax credits that can reduce or eliminate premiums. Tax credits are available to consumers who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level based on household size.

What is a health insurance deductible?

A deductible is a fixed amount you must pay out-of-pocket before normal copays or coinsurance rates apply. Under the Affordable Care Act, some services, such as annual physicals and wellness screenings, must be covered at no charge.

Is it illegal to not have health insurance?

No. Starting in 2019, the federal government eliminated the penalty that applied to individuals who could afford health insurance but chose not to purchase it. Financial penalties still apply in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

Does health insurance cover therapy?

All Marketplace plans must cover behavioral health care services, including counseling, inpatient care, and substance abuse treatments. However, there are coverage limits, and preauthorization may be required.

What is a copay?

A copay is a fixed price that you pay at the time of service after your deductible is satisfied. Insurance companies set specific rates for primary and specialty care and other services, such as emergency room visits and X-rays. Alternatively, plans may have coinsurance rates that require beneficiaries to pay a certain percentage of covered charges.

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal service designed to help consumers compare and purchase subsidized health insurance plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act. A number of states operate their own insurance marketplaces, including California, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania.

How can you find health insurance without a job?

Individuals who don't have access to health insurance through their job can purchase ACA-compliant plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Off-exchange plans are also available through private insurers and independent agents. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives certain individuals who are losing their coverage the right to maintain the same plan for a limited time period.

Can you cancel health insurance at any time?

Consumers can cancel their health coverage at any time. Cancellations may be effective immediately or at a specified date. However, you must wait until Open Enrollment to sign up for a new plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment period.

Can you have more than one health insurance policy?

It's possible to have primary and secondary health insurance. This is most common with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including dual enrollees and individuals who purchase supplemental plans. Secondary plans can cover some additional expenses, but you're still responsible for premiums and deductibles.

Is health insurance pretax?

Premiums for employer-sponsored health plans are generally deducted from the worker's pretax income. The same is true for voluntary contributions made to Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that are paired with a qualifying high-deductible health plan.

How long can a child stay on a parent\'s health insurance policy?

Children can stay on their parents' health insurance plan until their 26th birthday. There's a 60-day special enrollment period following this date. Exemptions allow disabled adult children to remain on their parents' policy beyond this age.

Do you have to pay a health insurance deductible upfront?

In most cases, out-of-pocket expenses for approved services count toward your deductible. However, it's increasingly common for hospitals to request all or part of the deductible upfront when scheduling major services, such as CT scans and surgeries.

Do employers have to offer health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act requires companies with at least 50 full-time employees to make essential health benefits available to 95% of their workforce. Companies that choose not to offer such benefits may have to pay a penalty.

Is there a tax credit for having health insurance?

The Advance Premium Tax Credit is a federal tax rebate designed to lower the cost of health insurance plans purchased through the Marketplace. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Consumers can decide how much of their tax credit to put toward their premiums.