The health insurance marketplace provides affordable plans that cover your needs while remaining budget-friendly. In some cases, financial aid may even be available to help cover its cost.
Private health exchanges existed prior to the Affordable Care Act and were founded on the principal of using computer networking technology for eligibility verification, claims management and payments administration. They focused on offering standard products at reduced costs.
It’s a marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a competitive individual market that provides individuals without access to health coverage through an employer access private health plans that adhere to ACA standards and qualify for federal subsidies if applicable. It can be found through state government-run exchanges as well as privately run health insurance marketplaces like eHealth.
States offering health insurance marketplaces have several responsibilities, including providing consumer support, encouraging enrollment and informing people of available options. Furthermore, they must offer a “no wrong door” process so people only submit one application to be automatically enrolled into either their marketplace plan or Medicaid if applicable.
The Marketplace provides Americans with the only avenue available to them to compare many competitive plans, learn whether or not they qualify for cost assistance and select the ideal plan to meet their individual needs and budget. All marketplace plans must comply with ACA regulations by covering at least 10 essential benefits.
It’s a shopping portal
The Health Insurance Marketplace is an efficient way of shopping for Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant private health plans that meet both your budget and needs. Additionally, it can help determine if you qualify for financial help to pay premiums or cost-sharing reductions during its annual Individual Open Enrollment Period.
Most Americans get their coverage through their employer and do not need to access the marketplace, though if a qualifying life event arises they could decide to opt out and purchase coverage through the marketplace – in this instance they would qualify for financial assistance to offset premium costs and cost-sharing reductions.
Some states operate their own exchanges while others partner with the federal government to manage marketplaces. No matter who operates an exchange in their state or not, all marketplace health insurance options comply with ACA standards set by the federal government; all plans offered must cover 10 essential benefits without annual or lifetime benefit caps and provide cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals.
It’s a place to compare plans
At the Marketplace, you can easily compare prices and benefits of health plans as well as determine eligibility for financial assistance. While the Marketplace makes selecting plans easy for consumers, it’s still wise to review all costs – premiums, deductibles and copays – before selecting one.
Your health plan should cover doctor visits and medical expenses to save you money, and to be sure you’re getting a great deal, use the online marketplace for personalized health insurance quotes. In case any queries arise about what coverage is being provided to you by your employer or through Marketplace Call Center services.
It’s a place to get help
Are You Searching for New Insurance Plans or Need Help Understanding Existing Coverage? The Health Insurance Marketplace Can Provide A Solution! With information on various plans and insurers as well as resources tailored specifically towards consumers and small businesses alike, the Marketplace is an invaluable tool.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is an online tool that enables individuals to shop for private ACA-compliant health plans at competitive rates and find financial assistance, such as premium tax credits or advance premium tax credits, which may help reduce monthly costs.
The Marketplace is administered by the federal government with some states creating their own State-based Marketplaces (SBM). SBMs offer numerous forms of assistance to consumers including toll-free hotlines, help selecting plans and determining eligibility for Medicaid and premium tax credit assistance; certified application counselors, marketplace facilitated enrollers and navigators may also assist. Furthermore, certain insurance brokers may assist consumers and small businesses with their Marketplace needs.
