I am currently uninsured, how will I obtain health insurance coverage in the future?
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In order to ensure coverage begins on January 1, 2014, individuals must enroll no later than December 15, 2013. Generally, individuals who enroll after this date will have coverage that begins later in 2014. With the new guaranteed issue requirement, even if you have never had health insurance before you will be accepted, and may even be able to obtain low-or no-cost coverage with a premium tax credit or subsidy, depending on your income level, as reported to the I.R.S.
During Open Enrollment you can purchase individual and family health insurance plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace Exchange or directly from an insurance company. You can research your plan options here.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Reform:
What is the health care reform & When does the healthcare reform begin ?
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The healthcare reform or Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a law passed to decrease the number of U.S. Citizens and legal residents without health insurance.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as the healthcare reform was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Some of the law's mandates have already begun and been implemented but the remaining mandes will take place by 2014.
Does everyone get free healthcare insurance coverage?
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The answer is, NO. This is the most common missunderstanding. Coverage can no longer be denied based on health status as of Janurary 1, 2014. Some people will qualify for 'Premium Tax Credits' or subsidies to help pay for there coverage but it is not free.
What is the Preventive Care mandate?
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that certain preventive health services must be provided at no cost-sharing (i.e. copayment or coinsurnace) when provided in-network. Preventive services that myus be cover at no addition charge now included:
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All generally accepted cancer screening, including breast, cervical and prostate
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Preventive services and immunizations for children and adults
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What is and Why does a 'Grandfathered' plan matter?
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If your current individual or family plan was in place on or before March 23, 2013, the plan you purchased may now be considered a "grandfathered" plan. This means it may be exempt from many of the new legislated mandates but some of the law's are required for all plans, even grandfathered ones.
If certain changes not mandated by law are made to the coverage, the plan could lose its grandfathered status and become subject to all health insurance reforms under the new law. Even if you change to another plan you may lose your grandfathered status, and cannot get it back.
Some health reform mandates apply to all plans, including grandfathered plans. Mandated plan changes that also apply to grandfathered plans are the extension of dependent coverage up to age 26 and the removal of lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits.
Members in grandfathered plans will enjoy stability with their current coverage. Under the ACA grandfathered plans cannot significantly cut or reduce plan benefits. Grandfathered plans also cannot increase a plan's co-insurance charges, so your current percentage charge for approved services cannot increase. Copayment charges and deductibles also cannot be significantly increased so your current fixed dollar amount paid for approved services, such as a doctor visit, can only increase as much as the annual medical inflation rate.
What is the Individual Responsibility Requirment (or Individual Mandate)?
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) states that starting January 1, 2014 all U.S. Citizens and legal residents are required to enroll in minimum essential Coverage.
Minimum Essential coverage includes many different types of health insurance:
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Individual coverage
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Coverage through your employer
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Medicare
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Medicaid
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CHIP
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TRICARE
Some individuals may also be eligible for an exemption from ths mandate. This "individual mandate' is inteneded to reduce the incentive for younger and healthier people to wait until they are ill or injured to purchase health insurance. Experts agree that broad participation in the health insurance system is needed to offset some of the cost increases associated with the new coverage and reforms.
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What if I don't purchase the minimum essential coverage?
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If you do not purchase the minimum essential coverage and do not obtain an exemption you may be subject to a penalty when you file your taxes in 2015. In 2014, the penalty will be $95 or 1% of your income (whichever is greater). In 2015, the penalty will be $695 or 2.5% of your income (whichever is greater).
I am currently unsinsured, how will I obtain health insurance coverage in the future?
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In order to ensure coverage begins on January 1, 2014, individuals must enroll no later than December 15, 2013. Generally, individuals who enroll after this date will have coverage that begins later in 2014. With the new guaranteed issue requirement, even if you have never had health insurance before you will be accepted, and may even be able to obtain low-or no-cost coverage with a premium tax credit or subsidy, depending on your income level, as reported to the I.R.S.
During Open Enrollment you can purchase individual and family health insurance plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace Exchange.