What's the difference between a Bridge Plan and Major Medical?
Major Medical (ACA-compliant) covers all minimum essential health benefits — doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, preventive care — and typically costs more. A Bridge Plan provides comparable everyday benefits at a lower premium, ideal for coverage gaps, between jobs, or while waiting for employer coverage to begin. A licensed Summit Care USA agent can show you which fits your situation.
When can I enroll in a new health insurance plan?
Most individual health plans enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period (November 1 through January 15 in most states). Outside that window, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you've had a qualifying life event — moving, marriage, divorce, having a baby, losing employer coverage, or aging off a parent's plan. Dental, vision, and hearing plans can usually be enrolled year-round.
Will pre-existing conditions affect my coverage or rates?
For ACA-compliant major medical plans, no. Insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions, and all plans cover essential health benefits including conditions you already have. Short-term medical plans and some supplemental products work differently — we'll explain the trade-offs before you choose.
How much does health insurance cost?
Costs vary based on your age, household size, ZIP code, tobacco use, income level, and the plan tier you choose. Many households qualify for premium tax credits through the Marketplace that significantly reduce monthly costs. We provide actual quotes from real carriers in your area — not estimates — so you see exact pricing before you decide.
Do you offer dental, vision, and hearing plans separately from health?
Yes. Standalone dental, vision, and hearing plans are available year-round without an open enrollment window. You can add them alongside a major medical plan or enroll in them on their own. Most clients add at least dental and vision because the monthly cost is low and routine care is fully or mostly covered.
What does the enrollment process look like?
Step one: a short conversation about what you need covered and your budget. Step two: we pull live quotes from carriers serving your ZIP code and walk through the options. Step three: when you find the right plan, we submit the application directly with the carrier — most enrollments complete in under 30 minutes. You'll have ID cards within a few business days of approval.
Why use an agency instead of going directly to a carrier?
A single carrier can only sell you their own plans. As an independent agency, we represent multiple top-rated carriers and have no incentive to push one over another — our recommendation is based on what fits your situation. Plus you get one consistent point of contact for every plan you carry, year after year.