Can You Have Medicare and Affordable Care Act Health Insurance?

Can You Have Medicare and Affordable Care Act Health Insurance?

Can you have medicare and affordable care act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance that fulfills its minimum essential coverage requirements.

Medicare is the main source of health coverage for people age 65 and up. If you currently hold individual market coverage, prior to enrolling in Medicare it must first be cancelled before enrolling.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health care program designed to assist those aged 65 or over and certain disabled individuals. Medicare’s benefits are funded mainly by payroll taxes, general revenues, and premium payments by plan members.

As we struggle to control healthcare costs, policymakers and providers alike are exploring new payment and delivery system reform models which use incentives to lower spending while simultaneously improving care quality. Medicare is taking the lead by testing these potential models.

CMS also has the unique opportunity of leading private industry in developing data infrastructure that advances medical care. This could involve expanding health information systems use, using advanced data analytics for public policy consideration and shifting financing paradigms to support chronic illness care.

The Affordable Care Act seeks to reform both individual and small group markets by mandating that all individuals obtain health coverage or pay a penalty tax, creating state-based American Health Benefit Exchanges, and expanding Medicaid eligibility to cover those whose income falls between 133%-400% of federal poverty level (currently set at $19,530 for a family of three in 2013). Furthermore, an additional penalty will be levied against those without qualifying coverage.

Medicaid

If you have limited income and resources, Medicaid could offer health care coverage to help. As a federal program that provides health insurance to children, adults, and seniors with limited resources.

The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility to nondisabled adults earning up to 138 percent of poverty line, an expansion estimated by CBO to provide coverage to 14 million more low-income Americans by 2029.

Medicaid is not only designed to cover people, but it is also an anti-cyclical program that expands in response to economic downturns or public health crises – during the Great Recession from 2007-09 alone, over 10 million additional people enrolled in Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid in New York State is administered by the New York State Department of Health; however, responsibility for specific populations, discrete programs, client enrollment and oversight resides with other NYS agencies and local governments.

Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easier than ever before to find and compare plans that meet Affordable Care Act standards, making it possible to purchase coverage that best meets your needs and budget. In addition, subsidies can help lower monthly premiums as well as Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The Marketplace is managed jointly by both the federal and state governments, with plans sold on state or federal exchanges having to cover at least 10 essential benefits, including hospitalization and emergency care services.

As well as these 10 benefits, most Marketplace plans also cover other essential health care, including dental and vision coverage. Some plans may exclude or charge higher premiums for these additional benefits.

Obamacare

Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), became law in 2010. Since its implementation, health insurance coverage has become more affordable and available to both individuals and small businesses alike.

The Affordable Care Act offers tax credits and cost-saving subsidies to help lower income families cover the cost of health plans. These subsidies may reduce premium costs by up to 50 percent.

Families with low incomes can now purchase high-quality health insurance plans at more affordable premiums, while Medicaid coverage has also expanded significantly, covering more people earning under $47,000 per year.

Individuals whose earnings exceed Medicaid qualifications can take advantage of tax credits to help offset some of their expenses.

The Affordable Care Act also established state-based insurance exchanges to make purchasing health insurance easy for both individuals and small businesses. These exchanges were designed to make selecting a plan tailored specifically to each person’s needs simpler than ever before.

You May Also Like

About the Author: Raymond Donovan