Image source: pixabay.com/photo-1993031
(Madison County Community Health Center, October 2016)
Are you uninsured? If so, there may be a solution available to you right now.
Now entering its fourth year, the Health Insurance Marketplace continues to offer Americans access to health insurance who had no other realistic option for coverage before. Here’s what you need to know.
- What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?
As a result of the U.S. Congress passing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA for short), in 2014 the federal government began offering a low-cost alternative to individual health insurance for Americans too far above the federal poverty line to be eligible for Medicaid.
Among other benefits of Marketplace plans, Americans now:
- Will not see their children excluded from coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
- Do not have to pay for preventative care.
- Can pay discounted premiums through federal subsidies.
- How do I know if I’m eligible?
Do you live in the United States? Are you a U.S. citizen? Are you in jail?
If your answers were “Yes”, “Yes” and “No”, you’re eligible to enroll. Pretty simple. It’s a bit more complicated if you are an immigrant to the U.S. Thankfully, the U.S. government has provided a useful tool to determine your eligibility based on your immigration status.
- When do I enroll, and when does my coverage begin?
The Open Enrollment period began November 1st. There are two important deadlines to remember:
December 15th – Last day to enroll in coverage to begin on January 1st.
January 31st – Last day to enroll in coverage for 2017 or to change your plan.
Outside of Open Enrollment, you can only apply during a Special Enrollment Period following a qualifying life event.
An Opportunity for Middle-Class Americans (y por la comunidad latino)
The ACA has made possible an historic reduction in uninsured rates for millions who may be under-employed, self-employed or for whatever reason don’t have reasonable access to health insurance.
This is great news for many Americans, but there may be no other community more positively impacted by this resource than the Latin American community. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015 an estimated 8 in 10 uninsured Latinos qualified for some type of coverage, including plans with reduced monthly premiums, through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Now it’s your turn to enjoy affordable healthcare. To learn more, visit www.healthcare.gov and click on “Preview 2017 Plans & Prices” (disponible en español).