The Affordable Care Act (ACA) brings health insurance to millions of Americans and reforms industry practices to guarantee you get quality care at an affordable price.
The Affordable Health Plan Marketplace was established by law to make it easier for you to find an affordable health plan that meets both your medical needs and budget. You can apply online or attend one of their enrollment events.
What is the Affordable Care Act?
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, a health reform law designed to expand coverage, enhance consumer rights, promote prevention and wellness initiatives, enhance quality and system performance while controlling rising healthcare costs.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also includes measures to reduce medical errors and create payment mechanisms that foster collaboration among providers. As a result, millions more people now have access to affordable health insurance through the ACA.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) safeguards Americans with preexisting conditions by mandating that health plans provide essential benefits such as prescription drugs, maternity care and behavioral health services. It also prohibits lifetime monetary caps on coverage, limits the use of annual caps and requires state rate reviews for premium increases.
How do I sign up?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes it simpler for more people to purchase health insurance. It also helps people pay less for care, encouraging medical care delivery that’s efficient, effective and budget-friendly.
Enrolling in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) involves submitting an application, selecting a plan and paying your first premium if applicable. You can get free assistance through a navigator who will guide you through the process.
With new financial assistance for premiums, nearly four out of every five people can find a plan at or below $10 per month.
To guarantee you get the best deal, shop around for the right plan. Look out for plans with lower deductibles, additional savings on out-of-pocket expenses and more to ensure you find what works best for you.
You may qualify for coverage through Medicaid or Medicare, federal government programs providing free or low-cost health insurance to people with disabilities and older adults. To learn more, visit the ACA’s website or call 2-1-1.
What are my options?
The Affordable Care Act gives you a variety of options when it comes to purchasing health insurance. You can shop for plans either on or off the Marketplace, and may qualify for financial assistance to reduce or cover your premium payments.
You could also look into high-deductible “catastrophic” plans, which may offer the best value. Cynthia Cox, executive director of Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Plan Information Service, notes that premiums on these plans are usually lower than anticipated.
You may take advantage of special enrollment periods. These may be triggered by life events like having a baby or getting married, and tend to last longer than the annual open enrollment period; however, there are exceptions.
Do I qualify?
The Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare or simply “ACA”, was passed by the 111th Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in March 2010. It aims to increase health coverage, contain healthcare costs, and enhance quality of care for Americans.
Based on your income, you may qualify for financial assistance to cover health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers advanced premium tax credits that enable individuals and families with net incomes between 100 percent and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to purchase affordable health insurance through the Marketplace.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a Patient’s Bill of Rights that guarantees access to essential healthcare services and shields you from pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, it requires no insurance company discriminate against you or your child due to having such a condition, among other consumer safeguards.
