Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), offers affordable health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. It has significantly decreased uninsured individuals to historic lows and broadened access to health services.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has further reduced healthcare costs by providing subsidies, such as cost-sharing reductions and advance premium tax credits. These help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for those whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid or the ACA’s lowest-cost plans.
Subsidies
The federal government provides financial assistance, also known as subsidies, to individuals and families who meet certain criteria based on income and household size. These assistance programs include the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs).
A subsidy helps lower the monthly premium for a plan you purchase on the Marketplace, allowing you to spend fewer dollars towards health insurance coverage. The amount of subsidy depends on your household type and size, annual income, and whether or not you qualify for Medicaid coverage.
Subsidies can be obtained either on your tax return or directly to the insurance company. Doing so can significantly reduce the cost of health insurance premiums and allow you to afford the care you need.
WNC Health Insurance and The Asheville Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina(r) Store have licensed insurance agents who can help determine your eligibility for an ACA subsidy and assist with selecting a suitable health insurance plan.
Enrollment
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers Americans several methods for purchasing private health insurance. These include the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, state-run exchanges or private health insurance companies.
During the Open Enrollment Period, you can find plans that meet your requirements and enroll in one. Subsidies may help cover some of your premium costs.
Navigators provide free, in-person one-on-one sessions to answer questions and guide you through the ACA enrollment process. Their trained professionals strive to ensure that you understand all your options so you can make an informed decision for yourself and your family.
North Carolina boasts some of the highest ACA enrollments in the nation, thanks to the work of NC Navigator Consortium – funded by CMS&M.
The Affordable Care Act offers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for consumers facing life-altering events like losing other coverage, getting married or having a baby. If your income falls below a certain threshold, then you may qualify for an SEP and typically have up to 60 days after the event to sign up or make changes to your health plan.
Coverage Options
Obamacare NC provides you with a range of coverage options to choose from for yourself and your family. Each plan must meet the Affordable Care Act requirements, providing essential health benefits such as emergency services, prescription drug coverage, hospitalization, maternity care, mental health services and more.
Based on your household income, you may qualify for subsidies that can reduce your premiums. These subsidies can be applied for on a tax return or sent directly to your insurance company so that each month, less money is taken out of pocket by the plan provider.
Short-term medical policies (STMs) can be purchased for those needing coverage for a temporary period. Unfortunately, these plans do not adhere to the Affordable Care Act and do not cover pre-existing conditions, so they’re generally not recommended.
ACA-compliant medical plans offer guaranteed issue and must cover essential benefits like emergency services, prescription drugs and more. Furthermore, these plans must have an in-network network of providers and hospitals.
Contact Us
The good news is that you can discover a wide range of plans available near you by searching our online directory or setting up an appointment to speak in-person or over the phone with one of our licensed assistants. Our staff of experts will assist you in deciphering your health insurance options and finding coverage that’s suitable for you. The most difficult part will be deciding which plan to select from more than 100 choices available near you. Obamacare NC also provides free no obligation assistance to make this decision-making process as painless and stress-free as possible. Our award-winning team of licensed and insured professionals are ready to guide you through this complex maze known as health insurance options.
