Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, is reshaping the health insurance marketplace and it comes with rewards and challenges for consumers. Some of the key health insurance changes enacted by the law include:
Most consumers are confused about Obamacare. This guide will help you quickly answer the following questions:
Health insurance can be purchased from an insurance company, a health insurance exchange, or an insurance broker. Our website allows you to compare plans first, including quality scores, before you commit to purchasing a plan. With HealthPocket’s health plan comparison tool you can calculate premium subsidies for Obamacare metal plans. When you decide which plan is the best combination of cost, benefits, and quality, HealthPocket will display multiple options where you can purchase the plan that you want. In some cases, you may be eligible for a subsidy on your monthly premium.
People were able to enroll in a new Obamacare plan starting October 1, 2020. The open enrollment period for 2020 is now closed (The open enrollment period for the 2020 plan year began November 1, 2019 and ends January 31, 2020.). Individuals can also qualify for special enrollment periods outside of the open enrollment period if they experience certain qualifying events.
Short answer: You should choose the plan that’s best for you. In practical terms, this means that you need to evaluate the plans available in your area on three main categories:
HealthPocket simplifies the above process through its health plan comparisons. Price, benefits, and quality can all be evaluated at the same time.
It depends on whether your doctor accepts your new insurance coverage. Most plans have a network of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers that will accept reimbursement from the plan. HealthPocket allows you to see if your doctor is part of a plan’s network. To use this feature, compare plans and then click on the Plan Details link for the plan that interests you. The Plan Details page will include a section called “Physician Directory.” Since there is a movement in the industry toward “narrow networks” (i.e. a smaller number of providers authorized to accept a health plan’s insurance), it is essential for you to validate your doctor’s participation in an insurance plan’s provider network unless you are willing to change doctors.
This will depend on you and your family’s income and its relationship to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Obamacare makes millions of lower income Americans eligible for premium subsidies. These subsidies come in the form of a tax credit, that is paid directly to your health insurance carrier each month to offset the premium. Below is a table summarizing the premium subsidies for 2020 coverage.
Modified Annual Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) | Premium After Government Subsidy |
---|---|
Up to 133% FPL | 2.06% of income |
133% to 150% FPL | Sliding scale of payments starting at 3.09% of income and ending at 4.12% of income |
150% FPL to 200% FPL | Sliding scale of payments starting at 4.12% of income and ending at 6.49% of income |
200% FPL to 250% FPL | Sliding scale of payments starting at 6.49% of income and ending at 8.29% of income |
250% FPL to 300% FPL | Sliding scale of payments starting at 8.29% of income and ending at 9.78% of income |
300% FPL to 400% FPL | 9.78% of income |
Above 400% FPL | No government subsidy |
These subsidies are based on the premium for your state health exchange’s selection of a representative Silver plan. What does this mean? In each state, there is a Silver Plan that the state exchange designates as the benchmark for Silver Plan premiums. Let’s imagine that in your state, the yearly premium cost of that Silver plan is $10,000. If your subsidy caps your premiums at $2,500 a year based on your relationship to the FPL, your subsidy would be a tax credit of $7,500 ($10,000 minus $2,500). What if you don’t choose a Silver Plan? It doesn’t matter. Your subsidy is based on the premiums of a benchmark Silver plan even if you pay less for a Bronze Plan or more for a Gold or Platinum Plan.
No,starting in 2019, individuals will no longer be required to pay the tax penalty. if they remain uninsured or select a non-ACA health insurance such as short-term health insurance.
HealthPocket.com provides information on insurance products. If you choose to obtain a quote or apply for an insurance plan, you may be transferred to a partner website to complete your request. Always review the privacy and terms of use of the partner website.
HealthPocket is a free information source designed to help consumers find medical coverage. Whether you are looking for Medicare, or an individual and family health insurance plan, we will help you find the right healthcare option and save on your out of pocket healthcare costs. We receive our data from government, non-profit and private sources, and you should confirm key provisions of your coverage with your selected health plan. If you select a plan presented on our site, you will be directed (via a click or a call) to one of our partners who can help you with your application. Our website is not a health insurance agency and not affiliated with and does not represent or endorse any health plan. HealthPocket, Inc. is part of the Benefytt Technologies, Inc. family of companies.