State Health Insurance Exchange: State Run Exchanges


Learn About Your State’s Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace

ObamaCare’s state Health Insurance Exchanges are open for business. Find your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace and apply for health coverage now.

Use the comprehensive list of state-based marketplaces (also called exchanges) found below to find your state’s exchange or to find out if your state uses the federal marketplace HealthCare.Gov.

Getting covered is as simple as finding your state’s marketplace, signing up, and then enrolling in a plan. Before you do, you may want to learn more about health insurance to ensure you get the best plan.

What are Health Insurance Marketplaces (Exchanges)?

ObamaCare (the Affordable Care Act) implements state-specific Health Insurance Exchanges (often called Marketplaces). These Health Insurance Marketplaces are online price comparison websites where consumers can purchase health insurance that counts as minimum essential coverage, receive federal subsidies, and be granted exemptions.

Signing Up For the Health Insurance Marketplace

State marketplaces offer 24/7 assistance to help you sign-up, enroll, or switch plans. Simply scroll down the page until you find your state’s marketplace to get started. Many states set up their own marketplaces, but the majority have not (which states run their own marketplace can change each year; you can always check with HealthCare.gov to find out which exchange you should use). If your state hasn’t set up its own marketplace, you’ll use HealthCare.Gov instead.

Getting Cost Assistance on the Marketplace

Americans making under 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may qualify for cost assistance through the marketplace.  Cost assistance includes: reduced premiums via tax credits for those making between 100% – 400% FPL, out-of-pocket cost assistance (on Silver plans only) for those making between 100% – 250% FPL, and Medicaid for those making under 138% FPL (if their State has implemented Medicaid expansion).

Marketplace Open Enrollment

Open enrollment in health insurance starts each year on November 1st and ends on December 15th. However, states running their own exchanges often have unique deadlines (and some states may even start enrollment early) and deadlines may be extended in general for a number of reasons.

Make sure to check state-specific deadlines each year for enrollment dates in your state and make sure to check HealthCare.Gov for official extensions.

If you missed the deadline for ObamaCare’s open enrollment, you won’t be able to sign up again until the next year’s open enrollment unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

When in doubt, you can always go to www.healthcare.gov. Healthcare.gov is the official Health Insurance Marketplace for states who didn’t set up their own marketplaces. Keep reading to find more specific information about your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace and a list of all marketplaces.

A Primer to State Exchanges: State Health Insurance Marketplace Facts

A Primer to the State Exchanges: States have either implemented a state-run health insurance exchange or let the federal government run the health insurance exchange for them. Some states have taken a variation on the approach by partnering with another state or the federal government. No matter what approach your State took, the way you shop for insurance is the same. Find your state’s marketplace below and apply so that you’re ready to get cost assistance, enroll in a plan, or change plans during open enrollment.

• Insurance must be obtained during open enrollment.

• The only way to qualify for and use cost assistance is through the marketplaces.

• Over half of uninsured Americans will get cost assistance on their state’s health insurance exchange marketplace resulting in free or low-cost health insurance.

• Marketplace plans are known as metal plans. The more precious the metal, the better the plan. All metal plans qualify for tax credits, but only Silver plans qualify for out-of-pocket assistance through Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies.

• All marketplace plans must offer ten essential benefits with no lifetime or annual dollar limits, include free preventive services and an annual wellness visit, have at least a 60% actuarial value, and cap deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

• You can’t be charged more based on health status or gender.

• Sometimes health insurance exchanges are called health insurance marketplaces.

• The official health insurance marketplace for states not running their own exchange is www.healthcare.gov.

• State-specific health insurance marketplaces each have their own unique name. Check out the list below for the official name of your state’s marketplace.

• Most Americans will have to obtain health insurance and maintain it throughout the year, get an exemption, or pay a per-month fee on their taxes for every month they went without insurance. UPDATE: The national fee is repealed 2019 forward, but some states have their own mandates.

• When you apply for your state’s marketplace you’ll find out if you or a family member is eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare.

• If you have Medicare or access to affordable, quality job-based insurance keep it.

• If you don’t have access to affordable job-based insurance, you can use your state’s marketplace t obtain coverage during open enrollment.

• If you miss open enrollment, you won’t be able to get coverage again until the next open enrollment period without qualifying for a special enrollment period.

state health insurance exchanges

How to Sign Up For The Health Insurance Marketplace

There are four ways to sign up for your State’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

1) Find your State’s marketplace website listed below.

2) Get in-person help. You can find in-person help by going to LocalHelp.Healthcare.gov.

3) Call the 24/7 marketplace helpline 1-800-318-2596.

4) Mail-in a paper application. bit.ly/PaperApplication (read these instructions first).

See our sign up page for a complete list of what you’ll need to sign up.

state health insurance exchanges

My State’s Health Insurance Exchange? What is My State’s Health Insurance Marketplace?

what-is-my-states-health-insurance-marketplaceWhat is the marketplace in my state?: Depending on your State you will either use healthcare.gov or the health insurance marketplace your State has created to shop for Federally regulated and subsidized health insurance.

The following is a list of states and their official marketplaces. Please note that, while they have unique names, they are all the same thing – an online marketplace for you to shop for affordable, high-quality health insurance.

Find your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace using the chart below:

Please Note: Health insurance must be obtained during open enrollment. Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho have changed what their marketplaces will offer. Other marketplaces may make changes each year (each year any marketplace below may be replaced by the federal marketplace for some or all services), so please refer to the official marketplace websites for details. Some states who don’t offer a marketplace for individuals and families will still offer Medicaid and CHIP sign up through a state site and/or a state-based marketplace for employers.  If you are an employer looking for your state’s SHOP marketplace we suggest looking at our ObamaCare Small Business Health Options marketplace facts page. Regardless of what your state offers, you’ll be pointed in the right direction by using the list below.

State Name Official Site to Buy Health Insurance: The Name of Your State’s Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
You’ll use the official website HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.
Arkansas If you live in Arkansas, you’ll use HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. You can get more information from Arkansas’ official health care website Arkansas Health Connector.
California If you live in California, Covered California is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Covered California website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit Covered California now to apply.
Colorado If you live in Colorado, Connect for Health Colorado is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Connect for Health Colorado website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.  Visit Connect for Health Colorado now to apply.
Connecticut If you live in Connecticut, Access Health CT is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Access Health CT website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.  Visit Access Health CT now to apply.
District of Columbia If you live in the District of Columbia, DC Health Link is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the DC Health Link website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.  Visit DC Health Link now to apply.
Hawaii If you live in Hawaii, the Hawaii Health Connector is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Hawaii Health Connector website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.  Visit Hawaii Health Connector now to apply.
Idaho If you live in Idaho, Your Health Idaho is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Your Health Idaho website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll.  Visit Your Health Idaho now to apply.
Kentucky If you live in Kentucky, kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll Visit kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection now to apply.
Maryland If you live in Maryland, the Maryland Health Connection is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Maryland Health Connection website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit the Maryland Health Connection now to apply.
Massachusetts If you live in Massachusetts, the Health Connector is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Health Connector website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit the Health Connector now to apply.
Minnesota If you live in Minnesota, MNsure is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the MNsure website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit MNsure now to apply.
Nevada* *Nevada will use HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Employer can still use the Nevada Health Link to shop for employee health plans.  Visit the Nevada Health Link now to apply.
New Mexico If you live in New Mexico, BeWellNM is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the BeWellNM website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit BeWellNM now to apply.
New York If you live in New York, New York State of Health is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the New York State of Health website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit New York State of Health now to apply.
Oregon* *Oregon will use HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Cover Oregon will still be used to apply for Medicaid and CHIP. Visit Cover Oregon now to apply for Medicaid and CHIP.
Rhode Island If you live in Rhode Island, HealthSource RI is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use HealthSource RI website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit HealthSource RI now to apply.
Utah You’ll use the official website HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Open enrollment goes until March 31st, 2014. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014.For small businesses and their employees: In Utah, your Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is Avenue H. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Avenue H website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit Avenue H now to apply.
Vermont If you live in Vermont, Vermont Health Connect is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Vermont Health Connect website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit Vermont Health Connect now to apply.
Washington If you live in Washington, the Washington Healthplanfinder is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, you’ll use the Washington Healthplanfinder website to apply for coverage, switch plans, get cost assistance, compare plans, and enroll. Visit the Washington Healthplanfinder now to apply.
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
You’re not eligible to use the Marketplace to apply for health insurance. Check with your territory’s government offices to learn about health coverage options.

Will My State-Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchange?

States had the choice of running their own marketplace or deferring to HealthCare.Gov. We have compiled a list below as to where the states stand in regards to the status their health insurance exchange, which branch of government will run the exchange, the structure of the exchange, and what type of exchange they run.

The Insurance Exchanges: A Health Care Choice Left Up to the State

The State-run exchanges will be run differently in each state due to the flexibility offered by the Affordable Care Act. States have leeway as to how they will implement the exchanges. They can implement a State-run exchange (which gives them maximum control), create a joint partnership Federal-State run exchange, or completely defer their exchange to the Federal Government. Regardless of what type of exchange the State runs, it must be approved by the Federal Government before being implemented (at this point all states have already declared the type of exchange they will run. See map above).

We are yet to see fully how the exchanges will impact the people of each state. One thing that is obvious is that Red states are tending to opt for Government-run exchange, while more Blue states are opting for State-run Exchanges.

Which States Will Run a State Health Insurance Exchange?

All states will have a health insurance exchange (marketplace), but less than half the states will run their own exchange. Below is a break down of what type of exchange each state will run: State-run exchange, Federal run exchange, or Partnership Exchange between state and federal governments.

The following table gives more detailed information on what type of exchange your state is running, use the table above this to find out the official website to buy health insurance in your State.

IMPORTANT: Which states run their own marketplace may change each year. This list is from 2015 and should only be used as an example.

Location Marketplace Decision Structure of Marketplace Type of Marketplace
United States 17 State-based Marketplace; 7 Partnership Marketplace; 27 Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Alabama Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Alaska Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Arizona Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Arkansas Partnership Marketplace NA NA
California State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Active purchaser
Colorado State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Connecticut State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Delaware Partnership Marketplace NA NA
District of Columbia State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Florida Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Georgia Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Hawaii State-based Marketplace Non-profit Clearinghouse
Idaho State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Illinois Partnership Marketplace NA NA
Indiana Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Iowa Partnership Marketplace NA NA
Kansas Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Kentucky State-based Marketplace Operated by State Not yet addressed
Louisiana Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Maine Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Maryland State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Massachusetts State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Active purchaser
Michigan Partnership Marketplace NA NA
Minnesota State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
Mississippi Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Missouri Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Montana Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Nebraska Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Nevada State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
New Hampshire Partnership Marketplace NA NA
New Jersey Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
New Mexico State-based Marketplace4 Quasi-governmental Not yet addressed
New York State-based Marketplace Operated by State Active purchaser
North Carolina Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
North Dakota Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Ohio Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Oklahoma Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Oregon State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Active purchaser
Pennsylvania Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Rhode Island State-based Marketplace Operated by State Active purchaser
South Carolina Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
South Dakota Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Tennessee Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Texas Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Utah Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Vermont State-based Marketplace Operated by State Active purchaser
Virginia Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Washington State-based Marketplace Quasi-governmental Clearinghouse
West Virginia Partnership Marketplace NA NA
Wisconsin Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA
Wyoming Federally-facilitated Marketplace NA NA

Structure of Exchange: States have the option of establishing the exchange as part of an existing state agency or office (Operated by State), as an independent public agency (Quasi-governmental), or as a non-profit entity (Non-profit).

Type of Exchange: States have flexibility in determining the role of the exchange with respect to contracting with health plans. All exchanges are required to contract only with health plans that meet the minimum federal requirements for qualified health plans. States can choose to have the exchange contract with all qualified health plans (clearinghouse) or states can choose to have the exchange contract with selected health plans and/or negotiate premium prices with health plans (active purchaser).

Source: kff.org

Are Subsidies Legal on State Health Insurance Marketplaces

Despite any talking point, you may have heard, subsidies are legal regardless of whether you use a state-based marketplace or not. If you’d like to learn more about the recent subsidy lawsuits check out our ObamaCare lawsuits page.

The Danger in States Opting Out of Creating a State-Run Health Insurance Exchange

With only 17 States Creating Health Insurance Exchanges Federal Taxpayers are Responsible for Millions of other State’s Constituents.

Right now, many states have opted out of running exchanges, leaving the Federal Government responsible for providing subsidies to their employees and low-middle income constituents. These are essentially the same states opting out of Medicaid expansion. These actions shift their responsibility to provide for millions of their constituents onto the federal taxpayer.

On this site, we have talked about the dangers of letting individual states Opt-Out of Medicaid Expansion. There is a good reason for this; states opting out of Medicaid expansion will leave their poorest uninsured and will place an extra financial burden on the exchanges. Those who are not covered by Medicaid Expansion will, in many cases, be eligible for maximum cost assistance when purchasing insurance on the exchange. States that defer their exchanges to the Federal Government and reject expansion pass considerable costs onto tax-paying Americans who then have to subsidize those states’ poorest.

A New Fee Set in Motion By States Opting out of the State-Run Insurance Exchanges

ObamaCare is using a provision in the bill that allows them to charge insurers a 3.5% fee to sell insurance on the Federal Run Health Insurance Exchange.

This is a response to the GOP standing lockstep against setting up state-run exchanges; this, along with opting-out of Medicaid expansion, is part of a plan to “break” ObamaCare (this is widely talked about in conservative blogs and publications).

About ObamaCare’s Optional 3.5% Fee for Selling Insurance

ObamaCare gives states and the federal government the option of charging insurance companies a 3.5% fee on the cost of the premium to sell insurance on the exchange. States have the option of using grants and other forms of assistance from the federal government; however, states that refuse to set up a state-run exchange will not get the subsides (folks shopping for insurance in that state will still get subsidies, it’s just the state itself which won’t get assistance), therefore their constituents may see the results of this tax passed along to them in the form of higher premiums.

Despite the cost, insurance companies have a big incentive to sell their plans on the exchange since it gives them access to millions of Americans who will only be able to apply their tax credits and subsidies (along with other forms of cost assistance) on the exchanges.

How the 3.5% fee will affect States of who are opting out of setting up an exchange and how it will affect the price of insurance premiums remains to be seen. There are a lot of factors that go into which plans are offered in which regions and by which insurers, so pinpointing the results of the 3.5% fee isn’t easy. On our site, we will attempt to cover the results of each state’s choices moving forward in more detail.

Updates On State-Run and Federal Run Insurance Exchanges

The State Insurance Exchanges are one of the most vital aspects of ObamaCare, so the success of the state-run health insurance exchanges will be a barometer for the success of the program. Your state’s health insurance marketplace is open for business during open enrollment. Make sure to visit your state’s official website and fill out an application to get your health insurance in place during this year’s open enrollment period.

 

Find Your State’s Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace
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Author: Thomas DeMichele

Thomas DeMichele is the head writer and founder of ObamaCareFacts.com, FactsOnMedicare.com, and other websites. He has been in the health insurance and healthcare information field since 2012. ObamaCareFacts.com is a...

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