What Do You Think Americans Should Do to Get Affordable Health Insurance?

The ACA expanded coverage to millions of low-income Americans through Medicaid and subsidized health insurance sold through the Marketplaces. These policies reduced the number of uninsured individuals and improved their financial security.

In order to make these options available, it will be important for Congress to support a number of key policy recommendations that lower barriers to obtaining coverage. These include simplified income rules, automatic enrollment systems and federal funding for consumer assistance programs.

1. Get Covered

What do you think Americans should do to get affordable health insurance? It can be complicated and confusing, but if you take the time to research and shop around, you’ll be able to find coverage that meets your needs.

Insured people can also use premium tax credits, which are subsidized by the ACA, to reduce their health costs and keep them out of debt. These tax credits work with the Marketplace to send credits directly to your insurance company and can lower your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

There are many options for individuals and families to get covered, including Medicaid and Essential Plans, which are offered through the New York State of Health Marketplace. You can apply for these programs anytime. And if you have a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby or losing other coverage, you can enroll in coverage outside of open enrollment (November 1-January 15). The Get Covered Coalition wants to help you find the right health plan for you.

2. Shop Around

The best way to find out which health insurance plan is for you and your family is to shop around. This is especially true if you have a preexisting condition or are on the job market. You might be surprised to learn that a high-deductible plan might actually be cheaper than a fully-insured policy. A good insurance agent can point you in the right direction. You also may want to consider getting a health savings account, too.

3. Get a Subsidy

If you aren’t able to afford your health insurance premiums, there are several ways you can get help. These include subsidies, which are a form of federal financial aid that can be applied to your monthly health insurance premiums.

Using a calculator to figure out your subsidy eligibility is an easy way to start saving money on your health insurance costs. These subsidies, which are available through the exchange or your state’s health insurance marketplace, can cover a substantial portion of your premium costs.

Subsidies are available to households earning up to four times the federal poverty level. They can help reduce the cost of a plan by up to 8.5%, depending on your income.

4. Get a Plan That Fits Your Needs

The best way to get affordable health insurance is to choose a plan that fits your needs. That includes knowing how much you can afford to pay in monthly premiums, what your deductible is and how many visits you need for specific services such as doctor visits and prescription drugs.

A deductible is the amount you pay each year before your insurance starts paying its portion of the costs for covered services. You’ll also need to know the copay, a flat fee that you must pay for certain services.

Most ACA plans are separated into four metal categories – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum – which indicate how much you pay in monthly premiums and how much is paid by the insurance company for your care. They also list out-of-pocket maximums for certain services.

5. Get Help

Many low-income Americans can find help with getting affordable health insurance through their state’s marketplace. Here, they can shop for plans, compare them and get information about whether they qualify for Medicaid or tax credits.

Choosing the right plan for you and your family is a complicated process that requires an understanding of all aspects of health insurance, from premiums and out-of-pocket costs to metal categories. It also helps to know what’s included in the monthly cost of coverage and whether you may qualify for subsidies, which can lower your rates or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses.

Navigators, ombudsmen and other assistance organizations are available to help Americans understand their health insurance options, choose a plan that fits their needs, and apply for coverage. They are also available to help patients with questions about their health care and to connect them with specialized services as needed.