Q: What is health care reform?
A: “Health care reform” refers to the Affordable Care Act — the federal law passed in March of 2010 —as well as any state laws passed to put it in place, these laws are intended to help more people get affordable health care coverage and receive better medical care.
Q: What do I need to do now?
A: Right now you don’t have to do anything, just be prepared to take action in the fall of 2013. The Health Insurance Marketplaces open in October until then you may want to learn all you can about health care and reform, and how it might affect your health coverage.
Q: What are the Health Insurance Marketplaces?
A: Marketplace, also commonly known as “Exchange”, will be a state ,or federally run website where a variety of people can buy health care coverage. It will be available to those uninsured or who buy insurance on their own. They will be able to compare and choose health plans offered by private companies, get answers to questions, and find out if they are eligible for financial assistance or special programs. The Marketplaces will also operate a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). There, small employers can choose through many different of plans to ensure they decide upon the right one, and then may allow its employees to choose from plans it selects or from all the plans. The Marketplaces open for use in October 2013, and coverage purchased there will be effective January 1, 2014, or later.
Q: Do I have to buy from the Marketplace?
A: No, not necessarily, the Marketplace is just one way people can shop for health coverage. People can still get coverage through their employer or directly from an insurance company. You will have to buy coverage through the Marketplace to apply for subsidized coverage, however.
Q: Who has to buy health insurance?
A: The Affordable Care Act requires most American citizens and legal immigrants to have basic health coverage starting January 1, 2014.
People who do not need to purchase health insurance include those with certain religious beliefs, members of Native American tribes, undocumented immigrants, and people who are in prison. People whose income is below a certain level are also not required to buy insurance.
Q: What if I can’t afford to buy health care coverage?
A: The government may provide subsidies, or financial assistant, to help some people pay for health coverage or care if they can’t afford it themselves. This is usually determined by a person’s income level and family size. You will be able to find out if you qualify for financial assistance when the Health Insurance Marketplaces launch in October. But here are some general income guidelines that might be used by the government to see if you qualify and how much help you would receive.
- If you’re single, the range of income qualifying for assistance could be between $15,282 and $45,960. In Hawaii, it could be between $17,596 and $52,920.
- For couples, the range of combined income qualifying for assistance could be between $20,628 and $62,040. In Hawaii, it could be between $23,741 and $71,400.
- For a family of four, the range of combined income qualifying for assistance could be between $31,322 and $94,200. In Hawaii, it could be between $36,030 and $108,360.
Q: What if I don’t buy health care coverage?
A: If you don’t buy coverage and go without it for three months or longer, you’ll be charged a tax penalty by the government. If you lack coverage for a period of fewer than three months, you will not be charged a penalty for that period of time.
Q: Can anyone get health care coverage?
A: Yes, anyone can get coverage. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to anyone who has a medical condition, and you don’t have to pass a medical exam to qualify for coverage.
Q: What services will be covered?
A: In general, most medically necessary services will be covered. This includes preventive care visits, immunizations, and screenings (such as mammograms and other cancer screenings). Maternity, newborn, and pediatric care will be covered, as well as emergency and hospital care. Laboratory services, prescriptions, and mental health (including substance abuse) services will also be covered. Some large-employer plans that were in effect before the Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010 may not be required to cover all these services.
Q: What does a “grandfathered” plan mean?
A: Group health plans that were created — or an individual health insurance policy that was purchased — on or before March 23, 2010, are exempt from many changes required under the Affordable Care Act. You can find out if your insurance is grandfathered by reviewing your health plan documents.
Need coverage now? Why wait for a health care reform to take effect in 2014? I will help you find a plan that fits your needs.
