The Health Insurance Marketplace helps people who need health coverage to find it. When you fill out the Marketplace application, you’ll find out if you qualify for a private health insurance plan and whether you qualify for lower costs based on your household size and income. Some people may qualify for the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs in their state. Even if you don’t qualify for lower costs, you can still use the Marketplace to buy insurance. There’s still time for you to enroll and have coverage as soon as February 1. All you have to do is sign up with the Health Insurance Marketplace by January 15. Read more here… Health Insurance Marketplace
CMS has posted information on Marketplace.cms.gov to address questions that consumers may have with the January 1 start of coverage through their selected health plan. Individuals who have insurance for the first time or have new plans beginning on January 1 are likely to have many questions related to coverage, premiums payments, co-payments, and other issues and may need to reach their individual insurance plan. Below is information for consumers on how to access their health plans as well as education factsheets explaining how health insurance works.
Health Insurance Marketplace Q/A
- New York State of Health Fact Sheets
- IFH Health Exchange Locations
- Westchester County ACA Assistance
- Westchester – NY State Health Plans
A New Yorker’s Guide to Signing Up for Obamacare (Article)
Who’s eligible for Obamacare? Read more… A New Yorker’s Guide to Signing Up for Obamacare
…with the beginning of open enrollment for Obamacare health-insurance plans…the sign-up period lasts for two and a half months, with coverage kicking in on January 1.
Because the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is paid for with non-discretionary funding…[it]… won’t be affected by the shutdown.
So…bone up on everything you need to know about America’s new health-care regime.
…For residents of New York City…many local nonprofits [are] paid by the federal government to help people navigate their way through the sea of new options.
Who’s eligible for Obamacare?
Just about everybody under 65… But, of course, the program will be of interest mostly to people who are not currently insured.
The only subgroup not eligible for Obamacare are undocumented immigrants. But they can still use the state web portal – known officially as the New York State of Health Marketplace – to access a number of otherhealth-care programs.
Can I get some help from an actual human being?
Call the Health Marketplace at 1-855-355-5777. Or go to an “in-person assistor” – that is, a real live person, highly knowledgeable, who will sit with you and help you identify the best health-care option. In New York City, there will be twenty locations for these helpers (find one here).
Subsidies are a huge part of the appeal of Obamacare, and many people who seek coverage will qualify. The Marketplace will assess your eligibility based on income, where you live, and immigration status.
Excerpts from… A New Yorker’s Guide to Signing Up for Obamacare by Tim Murphy