The Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, is a comprehensive health reform law which ensures access to affordable health insurance for many Americans. It mandates everyone have coverage or pay a penalty; establishes state-based exchanges; offers subsidies for lower income individuals; prohibits lifetime monetary limits on coverage and ensures most plans include preventive services at no additional cost;
It’s a law
Before the Affordable Care Act was passed, many individuals could not afford health insurance due to lack of job-based coverage and often had to seek care in expensive hospital emergency rooms. With its new accessible health coverage plans and financial aid provisions – as well as its ban on lifetime monetary caps on coverage – this was changed drastically with the ACA’s implementation.
The Affordable Care Act offers access to preventive screenings with low copays or deductibles that may save more costly medical treatment later. Furthermore, insurers cannot deny coverage due to preexisting conditions; and young adults can remain on their parents’ plans up until age 26.
Business must provide health insurance to their employees or pay a penalty, which many find unnecessary but designed to promote healthy behavior and lower healthcare costs. Funding comes from taxes on medical devices and prescription drugs as well as savings in Medicare payments to wealthy seniors; additional taxes on incomes help offset this cost for low-income Americans.
It’s a website
Obamacare refers to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Since its implementation, this landmark healthcare legislation has revolutionized American healthcare insurance coverage and brought millions more Americans under its care. The Health Insurance Marketplace was also created and requires that all ACA-compliant plans provide certain essential benefits.
The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions or cancelling policies due to them, creating state-based insurance exchanges so individuals and small businesses could shop for private coverage as well as creating the Medicaid program that provides low cost health coverage to people whose income falls below poverty line.
Dependent upon your individual situation, you may qualify to enroll in a marketplace plan outside of the annual open enrollment period. This could include having a baby, getting married or losing job-based insurance coverage. In addition, income-based plans with or without cost-sharing reductions (to lower monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs) may be offered as options that make signing up easy and affordable.
It’s a program
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly referred to as Obamacare, offers health insurance to individuals through online marketplaces or insurance exchanges. This program helps consumers with incomes below 400% of federal poverty level afford their coverage while offering preventative services that promote healthier lifestyles and in turn lower long-term costs.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees consumer rights against insurance company abuse, is funded by new taxes on medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and requires most Americans to either carry insurance or pay a fine.
If you need assistance shopping for or understanding the marketplace, reach out to a GoHealth licensed insurance agent. They’re on hand to guide the process and offer free consultations; plus they’re here to compare plans and costs side-by-side so you can find what fits best. You may even qualify for enrolling outside of open enrollment periods if life events such as having a baby or losing employer-based coverage arise – contact them now.
It’s a requirement
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates health coverage or face a penalty. Furthermore, it makes it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against people with preexisting conditions. Furthermore, subsidies exist to assist low-income individuals afford affordable healthcare coverage.
Incomes between 100-400% of poverty level may qualify for financial assistance to assist with premium and out-of-pocket costs, while those covered through employer coverage may be eligible for special enrollment periods if their plan does not comply with ACA minimum essential value requirements. Large employers must offer plans which both affordably meet minimum essential value standards as well as comply with penalties if they fail to do so.
The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 with the aim of providing Americans with access to affordable health insurance coverage. While Congress has removed penalties for not having insurance, other parts of this law remain in effect – eHealth can assist you with understanding all available options and selecting a suitable Obamacare plan.
