ObamaCare Cost Assistance For 2017 Plans


Updated Cost Assistance Information for 2017 For 2017, shoppers can get three types of health insurance cost assistance under the ACA: Premium Tax Credits, Cost Sharing Reduction Subsides, and Medicaid/CHIP. Below is updated cost assistance information for 2017 plans, including all plans purchased during 2017 open enrollment Nov 1. 2016 – Jan. 31. 2017. TIP: Seniors… Read More

TrumpCare Explained

What is TrumpCare? “TrumpCare” describes health care reform under Donald Trump. We explain TrumpCare and how it is different than ObamaCare. An Introduction to the Many HealthCare Bills, Regulations, and Ideas We Call “TrumpCare.” Below we explain different aspects of TrumpCare. When people say “TrumpCare” they are essentially referring to healthcare changes made, attempted to be… Read More

Allowed Amount and Balance Billing (Health Insurance)

An allowed amount is the maximum amount an insurer will pay for a covered health service, the remainder owed by the insured is called “balance billing”. Allowed Amount Versus No Dollar Limits No lifetime or annual dollar limits means there is no limit to what an insurer will spend on all care as a whole,… Read More

Health Care Sharing Ministry Exemptions

Find out about Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM), and related exemptions under ObamaCare. FACT: If your Health Care Sharing Ministry qualifies then you are exempt from the fee. Members of health care sharing ministries demonstrate their exemption by using IRS Form 8965 when filing their 1040 tax return. What are Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM)? Health Care Sharing… Read More

How Does ObamaCare Control Costs?

Some say ObamaCare doesn’t do enough to control health care cost. Let’s look at how ObamaCare controls healthcare spending with cost controlling provisions. TIP: To find out what coverage under the Affordable Care Act will cost you, make sure to check out the healthcare.gov marketplace and find your cost after assistance is applied. Taxpayers are benefitting as… Read More

What is Cost-Sharing?

Cost-sharing in health insurance is your share of costs (copays, coinsurance, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum) for covered benefits in a policy period. Typically cost-sharing does not apply to Premiums, uncovered costs, or balance billing. TIP: In simple terms, cost-sharing describes your share of the costs vs. your insurer’s share of the cost in respect to your… Read More

Platinum Plan

ObamaCare’s Platinum Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Platinum Plans qualify for Tax Credits and have the highest premiums. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. Platinum plans have the highest premiums and the lowest cost-sharing. They only make… Read More

Gold Plan

ObamaCare’s Gold Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Gold Plans qualify for Tax Credits, have high premiums, and generous cost-sharing. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Silver, and Platinum. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. Gold plans mean higher premiums, less Tax Credits, but much… Read More

Bronze Plan

ObamaCare’s Bronze Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Bronze Plans qualify for Tax Credits and have low premiums. Other Metal Plans include Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Also a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. All plans offer basic benefits and minimum cost-sharing, Bronze Plans tend… Read More

Silver Plan

ObamaCare’s Silver Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Silver Plans qualify for both Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing subsidies. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Gold, and Platinum. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. HealthCare.Gov, or your state’s Marketplace in states that don’t… Read More

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)

Your health plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) is a summary of what your plan covers in terms of benefits and cost sharing, and explanations of how everything works. We suggest opening up a Summary of Benefits and Coverage sheet as you follow along. The Summary of Benefits and Coverage PDF can be found… Read More

Factors that Affect Health Insurance Costs

Let’s take a look at factors that affect health insurance costs for premiums and cost sharing under ObamaCare, including Marketplace subsidies and Medicaid. ObamaCare helps ensure fair health insurance premiums (Sec. 2701), helps curb premium growth, and provides Tax Credits to lower premium costs. The ACA also includes measures to reduce out-of-pocket spending and curb national… Read More

Health Insurance Coinsurance

What is Health Insurance Coinsurance? In health insurance, coinsurance is your share of costs of the allowed amount for a covered service after you reach your deductible. Coinsurance is different from a copay which is a fixed dollar amount for services and is not typically dependent on meeting your deductible. How does Coinsurance Work? Each service or drug that is subject… Read More

Health Insurance Copay (Copayment)

What is a Health Insurance Copay? In health insurance a copay (copayment) is a fixed amount you pay for covered services, typically when you get the service. Copays differ from coinsurance (the percentage you pay for covered services, usually after reaching your deductible). Each plan treats copays and coinsurance differently, so it’s important to understand if… Read More

Health Insurance Deductible

What is a Health Insurance Deductible? Your health insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket for covered services before your insurance begins to pay. It doesn’t include premiums or costs that aren’t covered by your plan. Once you meet your deductible, your plan will pay its share of your coinsurance. TIP: Your maximum deductible… Read More

Health Insurance Premium

What is a Health Insurance Premium? Your health insurance premium is the amount paid to an insurer, typically per month, for a health plan. Tax Credits are available to lower monthly premiums through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you have coverage through work, your employer typically pays part of your premium. Let’s look a little more… Read More

Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies (CSR)

How Do Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies Work? ObamaCare’s Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies (CSR) lower out-of-pocket costs, based on income, for Silver plans bought on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Along with Premium Tax Credits, ObamaCare’s Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies lower what you pay for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, making health insurance coverage more affordable and… Read More

How Does Health Insurance Work?

How does health insurance work? You pay a monthly premium and your share of annual out-of-pocket costs, and your insurer pays it’s share of covered costs.  The concept is simple, but getting that perfect health plan takes some brain power and elbow grease.  By taking the time to master and internalize the content of this page,… Read More

Washington Health Insurance Exchange

How “Washington Healthplanfinder”, The Official Washington Website for Health Insurance, Works The Washington Health Insurance Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, is the official Washington State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Washington Healthplanfinder to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans and enroll in a plan that best suits you, your family… Read More

Washington, D.C. Health Insurance Exchange

How “DC Health Link”, The Official Washington, D.C. Website for Health Insurance, Works The Washington, D.C. Health Insurance Exchange, DC Health Link, is the official Washington, D.C. State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use DC Health Link to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan… Read More

Vermont Health Insurance Exchange

How “Vermont Health Connect”, The Official Vermont Website for Health Insurance, Works The Vermont Health Insurance Exchange, Vermont Health Connect, is the official Vermont State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use Vermont Health Connect to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More

Texas Health Insurance Exchange

How the Texas Health Benefits Exchange Marketplace Works The Texas health insurance exchange will be federally run by HHS after Rick Perry decided not to run a state-based Marketplace in Texas. Although the State will not run it’s own exchange Texans can use HealthCare.gov to shop for affordable health insurance. Texas has the highest percentage of… Read More

Rhode Island Health Insurance Exchange

How “HealthSource RI”, The Official Rhode Island Website for Health Insurance, Works The Rhode Island Health Insurance Exchange, HealthSource RI, is the official Rhode Island State marketplace for health insurance under Obamacare. You can use HealthSource RI to apply for cost-assistance, compare prices of plans, change plans, and enroll in a plan that best suits… Read More

Qualified Health Plan

What is a Qualified Health Plan? Under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) is a health plan certified by the marketplace to meet new benefit and cost sharing standards. Qualified Health Plans include all the metal plans sold on the marketplace and count as minimum essential coverage. Let’s take a look… Read More

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