Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers to the questions we hear most often — about employer benefits, individual health insurance, and Medicare. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, contact us directly.

For Groups And Employers

How do I utilize Ease and Employee Navigator?

What’s in it for you?

Enroll and on-board employees easily
Submit enrollment to carriers
Create and send offer letters
Collect digital signatures
Access HR resources

What’s in it for your employees?

Explore plan options
Compare costs
Make changes
Access via the web or mobile app

What are the business requirements to be able to offer benefits?

The business must be a legally recognized business with the following:

Tax ID
W9
At least one common law employee (W4 and get a paycheck)
A worker’s comp policy

For Medicare And Individuals

What benefits does Medicare provide?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and it can help with hospital insurance (part A), medical insurance (part B) and prescription drug coverage (part D). Think of Medicare as a group health plan that is offered through the government.

What do I need to do when I turn 65? How do I sign up for Medicare?

Go to our updated Resources page at https://thegriswoldgroup.com/resources/ OR visit the https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/ site to get more information. Make sure to sign up within 12 months of turning 65 to avoid penalties.

What is the difference between Medigap, Advantage and Supplement?

Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health
care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some
preventive services.

Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

Supplemental (Medigap) policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
Medicare Advantage Plan (previously known as Part C) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B – prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental – bundled together in one plan.
Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

What is considered a qualifying event, and what are their deadlines?

Qualifying Life Events (QLE) allow employees to adjust their insurance plans – but only within a defined window of time. Employees have 30 days from the date of any qualifying event to notify carriers, so we ask that you notify The Griswold Group within 25 days to ensure we have enough time to submit to the carrier.

Here is a partial list of QLEs:

Getting married or divorced
New dependents
Leaving your job
Moving
Changing citizenship status
Involuntary loss of coverage

You have and/or you are a dependent turning 26. What do you need to do?

The person turning 26 will need to roll off their parents’ insurance. Turning 26 is a Qualifying Life Event, triggering a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). In addition, the SEP is open 60 days before coverage ends and lasts 60 days after coverage ends, for a total of 120 days. If you are a group that offers a COBRA plan, the dependent would also be eligible for COBRA coverage for 36 months.