What Has Changed With Obamacare For 2018 -2019


A lot has changed with ObamaCare for 2018 – 2019. Changes include the mandate being repealed, short term coverage being expanded, budget cuts, and premium rate drops.

Here is that information in more detail:

  • Starting January 1st, 2019, the federal ACA tax penalty for not having health insurance coverage officially becomes zero. Consumer warning, some states may take measures on a state level to reverse this. Make sure to check if your state will have a mandate in 2019 or beyond.
  • Operational budget cuts, as well as funding for marketing and outreach, along with some HC.gov contractors not having their contracts renewed for call center service support, means it could be more difficult to enroll through the HC.gov over the phone.
  • There is however now going to be seamless support for WBE (web based brokers) to directly enroll consumers into Obamacare compliant on-exchange plans in a very seamless manner. This is one positive that will help ensure that an extension for open-enrollment will not be required.
  • Short-term health insurance regulations have been stripped back. Depending on where you get your news from, this could be perceived as both good and bad for consumers long term.
  • One bit of good news however, is that rates are actually expected to decline in some states for the first time in years.

To get help enrolling in a plan for 2018 – 2019 open enrollment, check out our page on signing up for ObamaCare.

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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