ACA exchange enrollment is open! Here is a (hopefully) easy to use basic Resource Guide [View all]

[Zorra]

Last edited Tue Oct 1, 2013, 03:43 PM - Edit history (10)

to help folks sign up for the Health Insurance Marketplace exchanges.

Affordable Care Act Basic Resource Guide

This is a compilation of links to websites that I have gathered, designed to give you fast, easy access to basic resources providing information that you may find helpful for understanding your health insurance options in the new Health Insurance Marketplace Exchanges.

Please keep in mind, because this is a new program, it may change as they work the bugs out.

Marketplace open enrollment is a 6 month period, from October 1 to March 31.

Health Insurance Marketplace: You can create your Marketplace Account beginning on Oct. 1.

https://www.healthcare.gov/

https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-answers/#step-1

https://www.healthcare.gov/creating-an-account-and-logging-in/

Kaiser Foundation Subsidy Calculator. There is important information for you at this link, and you can get an estimate of the insurance subsidy you may be eligible for here: *(Note: Because Exchanges are now open, this link will be deleted once traffic on Healthcare.gov slows down and becomes accessible to everyone.)

http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/

There are four types of plans:

• Bronze: Your plan pays 60%. You pay 40%.
• Silver: Your plan pays 70%. You pay 30%.
• Gold: Your plan pays 80%. You pay 20%
• Platinum: Your plan pays 90%. You pay 10%.

How to find the Health Insurance Plan that is right for you:

https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/how-to-find-the-health-insurance-plan-that-s-right-for-you/

Prices will be available for Marketplace Insurance Plans on Oct. 1:

https://www.healthcare.gov/how-much-will-marketplace-insurance-cost/

10 Essential Benefits you receive from the Affordable Care Act – What is covered under Marketplace Insurance Plans:

1. Ambulatory patient services
2. Emergency services
3. Hospitalization
4. Maternity and newborn care
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
6. Prescription drugs
7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
8. Laboratory services
9. Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and
10. Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

http://www.healthinsurance.org/learn/health-reforms-10-essential-benefits/

Kaiser Foundation: The Requirement To Buy Coverage Under The ACA:

http://kff.org/infographic/the-requirement-to-buy-coverage-under-the-affordable-care-act/

Who is required to obtain insurance under the ACA:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

The ACA and Women:

http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2012/03/women03202012a.html

Premium Tax Credit

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/premium-tax-credit/

Qualifications For Lower Premiums:

https://www.healthcare.gov/will-i-qualify-to-save-on-monthly-premiums/

Some FAQ

http://kff.org/health-reform/faq/health-reform-frequently-asked-questions/

Medicaid Eligibility

http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Provisions/Eligibility.html

The main ACA IRS homepage is:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions-Home

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA),[1] commonly called Obamacare[2][3] or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant regulatory overhaul of the country's healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.[4]
The ACA aims to increase the quality and affordability of health insurance, lower the uninsured rate by expanding public and private insurance coverage, and reduce the costs of health care for individuals and the government. It provides a number of mechanisms—including mandates, subsidies, and insurance exchanges—to increase coverage and affordability.[5][6] The law also requires insurance companies to cover all applicants within new minimum standards and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.[7][8] Additional reforms aim to reduce costs and improve healthcare outcomes by shifting the system towards quality over quantity through increased competition, regulation, and incentives to streamline the delivery of health care. The Congressional Budget Office projected that the ACA will lower both future deficits[9] and Medicare spending.[10]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_Care_Act

Full Text of the Affordable Care Act (this is a pdf file):

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3590enr/pdf/BILLS-111hr3590enr.pdf