The Protector Plan: straight answers

It's a fixed indemnity / limited-benefit plan from Cornerstone. It is not major medical insurance and not a Marketplace (ACA) plan.

It doesn't work like traditional health insurance. There's no spending requirement to meet before benefits start, and it includes only the benefits listed in its plan documents, such as telemedicine, urgent care per-visit costs and First Health PPO access.

The member materials list:

• 24/7/365 telemedicine and teletherapy through the Healthee app
• A flat per-visit cost for eligible urgent care visits at First Health PPO urgent care centers
• First Health PPO pricing on other office visits
• Healthee app tools, plus a prescription discount program
• A care coordinator for questions and balance bills

See plan documents for details, limits and exclusions.

There's no per-visit cost for telemedicine. The materials describe three steps: log in to the Healthee app, tap the telehealth icon on the home page, then follow the prompts to connect with a doctor.

They describe unlimited access to board-certified primary care physicians and licensed mental health therapists for the whole family, 24/7/365.

Urgent care visits for sickness or injury at a First Health PPO urgent care center have a flat per-visit cost. Show your ID card at the front desk, pay the per-visit cost and keep the receipt.

Visits for wellness services or prescription refills aren't eligible. We'll confirm the current per-visit amount with you from the plan documents.

Other office visits don't have a flat per-visit cost. When you see a provider on the First Health PPO list, the bill is repriced to the First Health PPO rate, and you pay that discounted price.

If you get a balance bill, the materials say to send it to your care coordinator for next steps.

Yes. The materials point to the First Health provider locator. We're happy to look up your doctors with you before you decide.

Yes. The plan materials list a four-month minimum enrollment. It can be paid up front or in monthly installments. Ask us about this before you enroll.

It's one flat monthly cost: $225 for you, $150 for a spouse and $80 per child. There are no tiers based on your plan choice. Ask us for your exact quote, and we'll confirm current costs from the plan materials during your free review.

No. Marketplace plans must cover a broad set of essential health benefits. They can't turn you down or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition.

The Protector Plan is a fixed indemnity / limited-benefit plan. It isn't required to follow ACA rules such as guaranteed issue, essential health benefits, or no annual or lifetime dollar limits. It includes only what its plan documents list.

No. Marketplace tax credits only apply to Marketplace plans. Many people qualify for them, and they can lower the monthly cost a lot for some households.

We'll check what you may qualify for, so you can compare. We're not tax advisors, so for tax questions please talk with a tax professional.

The member materials we have don't explain this for the plan's everyday benefits. Please read the plan documents and ask us before you enroll.

If you have an ongoing condition, know that Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions.

The Protector Plan is not major medical insurance. The plan materials describe an option for a qualifying medical event: your Care Coordinator (or Brandon or Jade on your behalf) can convert you to full-time program status, which provides fully insured coverage effective back to the first of that month.

This requires an additional monthly access fee based on age ($1,000–$2,500, plus $500 for dependents under 18). Once your related care is complete, you can return to the Protector Plan. We'll walk through the exact rules and fees with you before you enroll, not when you're in the middle of an emergency.

Also know that you can usually join a Marketplace plan only during Open Enrollment or after a qualifying life event. For 2027, Open Enrollment runs Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027.

We look at your tax credits, your doctors, your prescriptions, any ongoing care and your budget. Then we show you both side by side. You decide, and there's no pressure either way.

No. There's no fee for our help. We're paid by the companies whose plans we offer when someone enrolls.

No. We're a private, independent agency. We aren't connected with or endorsed by HealthCare.gov, any state Marketplace or any government agency.

In the official plan documents from Cornerstone Care Management. We'll go through them with you before you enroll, so there are no surprises.