The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is also known as “Obamacare.”
This sweeping healthcare reform law was passed in 2010. It changed the way Americans receive health insurance and imposed certain coverage rules on health insurers.
Obamacare plans can be purchased online through the federal Marketplace or through a licensed web broker like eHealth. You may qualify for a subsidy to help cover some or all of the cost of your plan.
What is Obamacare?
Obamacare is a name for the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. It’s an effort to improve access to healthcare and reduce the cost of health insurance.
The ACA includes premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies to make health insurance more affordable. It also expanded Medicaid eligibility and created a health insurance marketplace (or exchange) to help people buy affordable health coverage.
How can I get Obamacare?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a federal health insurance law passed in 2010 that makes it easier for people to get coverage. It offers a range of consumer protections, such as covering people with pre-existing conditions and offering free preventive screenings.
You can get a health plan from a private insurer via an online marketplace, often with a substantial federal subsidy to help pay your premiums. You can also sign up for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if your family income is too high for private coverage.
Can I get Obamacare if I don’t have health insurance?
If you don’t have health insurance, you should apply for Medicaid and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs provide free or low-cost health coverage for low-income people, families, children, and pregnant women.
Depending on your income, you may also qualify for subsidies to lower the cost of your Marketplace plan. These subsidies can help reduce your deductibles and copays, putting more money in your pocket each month.
Can I get Obamacare if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes provisions that help immigrants buy insurance. These include a premium subsidy for qualifying immigrants, as well as some other benefits that make it easier for recent immigrants to access affordable coverage.
The law also requires health exchanges to verify immigration status for all applicants, including undocumented immigrants. This can be difficult for many people, so it is important to understand the rules and be prepared to provide documentation when needed.
Can I get Obamacare if I’m not working?
Employer-based health insurance plans are the most common way to get health coverage in the United States. But if you don’t like your employer’s plan or want to try something different, there are other ways to get Obamacare.
If you lose your job or if you have a life change, such as giving birth or adoption, you can sign up for ACA health coverage midyear in a special enrollment period (SEP). You can also get short-term, government-backed health insurance for up to three months.
Can I get Obamacare if I’m not married?
If you’re not married, you can still get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You can find coverage through the Marketplace during the annual Open Enrollment Period or during a Special Enrollment Period.
The ACA offers premium tax credits that lower the cost of self-purchased health insurance. These subsidies are based on an ACA-specific version of your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
Can I get Obamacare if I’m not eligible for Medicare?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows people who are not eligible for Medicare to sign up for Obamacare plans through the Healthcare Marketplace. These plans are called Marketplace health insurance and cover 10 essential benefits including doctors’ services, hospital care, prescription drug coverage, and mental health services.
In addition, many states offer ACA-compliant short-term plans that allow you to purchase health insurance for up to three years. These plans are not as comprehensive as ACA-compliant major-medical health plans, but they can provide more coverage in the event of a job loss or other life change.
Can I get Obamacare if I’m not eligible for Medicaid?
Medicaid is a state-based insurance program that provides free or low-cost health care for people with limited incomes. You can learn more about your state’s Medicaid program by visiting the state website.
Despite the availability of subsidies in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, there are still many Americans who do not qualify for Medicaid. These individuals and families, who often have a high risk of illness, live in states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA.
