The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, seeks to transform how healthcare is delivered in America. It expands Medicaid eligibility, creates health insurance exchanges and prevents insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
Millions of Americans enroll in Affordable Care Act-compliant plans during an annual enrollment period known as open enrollment. You may also opt out if a qualifying life event occurs, such as losing health coverage or adding a family member, outside this window of enrollment.
Health Insurance Marketplace
The Marketplace is your go-to for affordable ACA-compliant health insurance plans. Here you can easily compare plans from different insurers and discover what options are available to you, along with any savings that may apply.
You can use this tool to determine if you qualify for premium subsidies. Alternatively, contact or visit a Marketplace assistance agent for further assistance.
During the annual Open Enrollment Period, you can sign up for any plan in the Marketplace. You can do so online, by phone, or through paper applications.
Many states provide additional state subsidies to make health insurance more accessible for low-income people. These payments are based on Medicaid expansion and help lower insurance premiums.
If you are uninsured or have lost your job-based insurance, the special enrollment period allows for the purchase of a Marketplace plan at a significantly cheaper cost than what would be offered through your employer. These plans tend to offer better coverage than what was previously available from your employer.
State-Based Marketplaces
If you live in a state with its own health insurance marketplace (known as a State-Based Marketplace or SBM), signing up for affordable care act coverage through your state website is easy. Plus, Navigators, certified application counselors and agents/brokers will be available to assist with the application process.
Additionally, if you qualify for federal subsidies, they could help cover the cost of your premiums. The federal government offers these subsidies to reduce monthly premiums based on your estimated income when enrolling in coverage through your state’s Small Business Marketplace (SBM).
State-based marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are an essential source of coverage and financial assistance for many Americans. Unfortunately, they’ve become severely challenged due to Trump administration actions. To guarantee consumers have a robust and affordable health care option, the new administration should implement and advocate for policies that strengthen state-based marketplaces.
Private Marketplaces
Every year, during open enrollment you can sign up for affordable care act health insurance either online or in-person with a local agent. In addition, if you experience a qualifying life event such as pregnancy, marriage, divorce or loss of another insurance policy then you may also apply during a special enrollment period.
Private marketplaces (PMPs) are an expanding programmatic advertising platform that provides advertisers with premium access to ad space and audiences at a competitive price point. Publishers benefit by earning more revenue while buyers take advantage of sophisticated inventory segmentation and high-quality content to reach their desired audiences.
Private marketplaces are an evolutionary step from open exchanges and represent a convergence between direct media buying, where relationships are direct, and programmatic technology, which eliminates manual work to increase efficiency and accuracy. They’ve become popular with advertisers due to their increased control over inventory they bid on while still enjoying the scale advantages that open markets provide.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federal/state partnership that offers health care coverage to over 50 million low-income Americans. As it’s needs-based, only those eligible can receive it.
Depending on your state, you can sign up for Medicaid through either your state’s department of social services or through the online Medicaid Marketplace. Please be aware that processing time may take up to a few days after submitting your application.
You may also be eligible to enroll in a subsidised private insurance plan through the Medicaid Marketplace, such as Child Health Plus or Essential Plan. These plans fill any gaps in Medicaid coverage for families who cannot afford it on their own.
Due to the low incomes that Medicaid and CHIP enrollees typically have, states are limited in how much they can charge for premiums and cost sharing. However, some have obtained waivers that allow them to charge higher prices or out-of-pocket spending than allowed under federal rules. This could ultimately have an adverse effect on Marketplace enrollees’ financial situations, leading to reduced enrollment levels and greater out-of-pocket spending obligations in the long run.
