Open Enrollment for Marketplace insurance ends January 31st. Even though the future of the ACA is less than certain, there are no changes to Marketplace insurance or Cost Assistance yet. If you are still in need of health insurance for 2017, please sign up at Healthcare.gov or your state’s Marketplace while you still can. Support Marketplaces and Cost Assistance… Read More
Washington State House Bill 1026 Several House representatives in Washington have sponsored HB 1026 which would establish a single-payer health care system in Washington state using the Affordable Care Act’s State Innovation Waiver 1332. The 1332 waivers first became available to state legislators this year, and these waivers allow states to utilize 95% of the… Read More
We examine the GOP’s “fix” for preexisting conditions and the mandate, and offer alternative solutions that pair with Price and Ryan’s ACA replacement 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
HillaryCare Explained – The History of Hillary Clinton’s Healthcare Reform Efforts HillaryCare describes healthcare reform efforts by Hillary Clinton. This includes her healthcare reform efforts in 1993 that paved the way for CHIP and the ACA, and all efforts since. If Hillary gets elected HillaryCare will describe healthcare reform under her Presidency. Below we discus: Hillary’s… Read More
ObamaCare News Archives Below you will find our archive of news articles on the Affordable Care Act from 2012 – 2014, see our current ObamaCare news section for recent news related to the ACA. ObamaCare News November 2014 Should I Shop Inside or Outside of the Marketplace? Published November 20th, 2014 by ObamaCare Facts Most of… Read More
A Quick and Simple Guide to Health Insurance Costs and Assistance Types of health insurance costs include: monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs / cost sharing (copays, coinsurance, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum). Here the premium is what one pays for the policy, and then cost sharing is a reference to the part of the costs the plan covers… Read More
Under ObamaCare the best plan is generally a Silver plan with an HSA, for low income it’s Medicaid / CHIP, and for Seniors at least Medicare A & B. There is a bit more to it, but if we only had one sentence to convey a blanket answer that would be it. If we get one… Read More
When I first enrolled in the Marketplace I was able to get a Silver PPO that I could afford with the subsidy, that offered what I needed. The second year that plan went up
If you switch plans mid-year what you paid toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum will reset. This can be avoided with a multi-state plan.
ObamaCare covers one type of birth control per person from each of 18 FDA-approved categories at no out-of-pocket cost, although some plans have exemptions. This page will tell you what kinds of birth control are covered, which health plans have exemptions, how to get free birth control under the Affordable Care Act, and how to get help… Read More
The best health insurance plan for an individual or family is going to depend on the income and needs of that family. With that said, many will find a marketplace plan that qualifies for cost assistance to be the best value for them. Very generally speaking the best health plan when it comes to benefits… Read More
In Indiana everyone i talk to nurses, doctors, ect, say this health care doesn’t pay anything and copays are awful. I could retire now at 58 but don’t trust this health care due to all the people i’ve talked to,so what am i to do?
Get the facts on low cost health insurance, how Medicaid and Marketplace subsidies can lower your costs, and how to get affordable coverage. Getting low cost health insurance is a little more complicated than just finding the right broker, picking the lowest premium plan, or general cost sharing amounts. It’s about understanding what cost assistance you… Read More
How Health Insurance Networks Work With Health Insurance The general types of networks are HMOs and PPOs. A given provider will then either be “in-network” or “out-of-network” for a given plan. You and your insurer save money by using “in-network providers.” You’ll almost always have different cost-sharing when you use a provider “out-of-network,” so you’ll… Read More
My husband and I have not been helped but hurt and our details are below. But before I get into our details want to say that middle income people who do not qualify for subsidies, especially those who do not have health coverage via an employer (e.g. self employed or those who work for employers… Read More
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
Here is a quick list of tips for getting the best health plan. No matter how you shop, this list will ensure you don’t over or under-buy health insurance. NOTE: Finding the best health plan for you and your family depends on your family size, income, needs, region, and more. The best plan for one… Read More
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
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
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
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
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
What is a Health Savings Account? A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account you can contribute to and draw money from for certain medical expenses tax-free. HSAs can be used for out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision. HSAs can’t be used to pay health insurance premiums. HSA’s can only be used with… Read More
If you are under 30 or obtained a “hardship exemption” you qualify for a high deductible, low premium, catastrophic plan. Catastrophic health plans are the cheapest plan you can get that counts as minimum essential coverage. Catastrophic plans can be good for those who want cheap, barebones care. Catastrophic plans tend to trade a low… Read More