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What do I Need to Know about the Affordable Care Act & The Health Insurance Marketplace?. What is the Marketplace?. Offers new, affordable insurance options Website: www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov Offers financial help so you can find a plan that fits your budget
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What do I Need to Know about the Affordable Care Act &The Health Insurance Marketplace?
What is the Marketplace? • Offers new, affordable insurance options • Website: www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov • Offers financial help so you can find a plan that fits your budget • Cannot deny you coverage because of pre- existing conditions • Cannot charge more because of your health or gender
Who can benefit? Marketplace is for: • Uninsured • Underinsured • Those who have individual plans • Those who are a dependent on someone else’s plan Marketplace is NOT for: • Medicaid eligible • Medicare eligible • Military insurance
Qualified Health Plans cover Essential Health Benefits Qualified Health Plans cover Essential Health Benefits, which include at least these 10 categories these 10 categories • Ambulatory patient services • Emergency services • Hospitalization • Maternity and newborn care • Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment • Prescription drugs • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices • Laboratory services • Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management • Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
*Based on average cost of an individual under the plan and may not be the same for every enrolled person.
Who is Eligible for the New Premium Tax Credits? Eligibility for the new tax credit is based on: • Household income and family size for the year • Income from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($23,550-$94,200 for a family of 4 in 2013) • Ineligibility for other health benefits coverage, other than the individual insurance market Tax credit amount depends on income as percentage of the FPL • Based on a sliding scale • Based on the cost of second lowest silver Qualified Health Plan, • adjusted for the age and rating area of the covered person • Limits premium payments as a percent of income
Who is available for a Cost-Sharing Reduction? Eligibility for reduced cost sharing is based on: • Incomes at or below 250% of the FPL ($58,875 annually for a family of 4 in 2013) • Receiving the new tax credit • Meeting enrollment requirements • Enrolling in a Marketplace silver-level Plan Members of Federally-recognized Indian Tribes • If income is <300% FPL
Catastrophic Plans Who is eligible? • Young adults under 30 years of age • Those who cannot afford coverage and obtain a hardship waiver from the Marketplace What is catastrophic coverage? • Plans with high deductibles and lower premiums • Includes coverage of 3 primary cost visits, and preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs • Protects consumers from high out-of-pocket costs
Medicaid Eligibility in 2014 Extends options for states to expand Medicaid eligibility to: • Adults age 19-65 with incomes up to 133% of the FPL ($15,282/yr. for an individual, $31,322/yr. for a family of 4 (2013 amounts) Ensures Medicaid coverage for all children • With incomes up to 133% of the FPL ($26,000 for a family of 3) Eligibility shifts to simplified method of calculating income to determine Medicaid/CHIP eligibility • Known as Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)
Small business Health Option Plans (SHOP) • 2-50 full-time employees are not required to provide health insurance coverage • You may qualify for employer health care tax credits if you have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees making an average of about $50,000 a year or less. • To qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, you must pay at least 50% of your full-time employees' premium costs. You don’t need to offer coverage to your part-time employees or to dependents. • Starting in 2014, the tax credit is worth up to 50% of your contribution toward employees' premium costs (up to 35% for tax-exempt employers). • The credit is available only if you get coverage through the SHOP Marketplace
Open Enrollment October 1, 2013-March 31, 2014www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) May enroll or change Qualified Health Plan (QHP) • Within 60 days from the qualifying events in the individual , 30 days in the small group from the qualifying event Special Enrollment Period Qualifying events • Loss of minimum essential coverage • Gaining or becoming a dependent • Gaining lawful presence • Enrollment errors of the marketplace • Material contract violations by Qualified Health Plans • Gaining or losing eligibility for prem. Tax credits or cost sharing reduction • Relocation resulting in a new or different Qualified Health Plan selection • Exceptional circumstances
4 Steps to Enrollment 1. Do your homework • Gather financial documents…taxes, all sources of income • Obtain all appropriate family members’ social security numbers • Review or create your budget • List your questions 2. Apply • Open Enrollment October 1-March 31, 2014 • Compare and choose the plan for you 4. Enroll • Coverage starts as early as January 1, 2014
Enrollment Assistance Help available for all: • Toll-free call center (24/7) -1 (800) 318-2596 voice -1 (855) 889-4325 TTY • Website www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov • In-Person Counselors • Community-based organizations PACE…….344-5433 voice 344-5024 TTY