Looking for the best marketplace plan? Look no further! We have some of the best plans around, and our affordable prices are sure to please. Whether you’re looking for health insurance, medical insurance, or just some general coverage, we have a plan that’s perfect for you. Plus, our customer service is top-notch. We’re here to help you find the right plan and get started on your journey to better health!
Quick Note
For some, buying health insurance can be a confusing and overwhelming process. First, you have to find a health insurance plan within your budget. Then you have to contact the company or an insurance agent to get a quote. Once you have all of that information, you can evaluate your options. It is a very personal and complicated process, but there are ways to simplify it.
Now that the Affordable Care Act (sometimes referred to as “Obamacare”) is in place, it is much easier to find a health insurance plan based on your income and personal health needs. In most states, you may even qualify for financial subsidies. You can quickly and easily apply for coverage through the new Healthcare Marketplace.
Before you settle on a plan, you should first get a quote, find a price, and discover any out-of-pocket expenses your plan will expect you to pay (such as deductibles, co-insurance, and copay charges). Once you have all of this information together, it will be easier to find coverage that fits your needs.
What Type of Plans Are Available?
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans: The comprehensive healthcare reform law, known commonly as ACA or Obamacare, requires qualified insurers to provide individual health insurance plans to enrollees that meet the minimum essential coverage requirements. These plans are designed to make healthcare more affordable and to provide coverage to everyone, including those with pre-existing conditions.
- Short-Term Plans: A short-term medical plan isn’t required to meet the minimum essential coverage guidelines that ACA plans meet. Because they are subject to medical underwriting, short-term plans may not cover pre-existing conditions. Check the details of your plan before enrolling to ensure you’re properly covered.
- Fixed Indemnity Plans: These plans are designed to supplement health insurance by reimbursing you for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on covered medical treatments and procedures. However, like short-term plans, fixed indemnity plans often don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Also, the number of costs reimbursed to you could affect your Medicaid eligibility (if applicable). These plans are not true health insurance.
- Other: Some community/cost-sharing plans exist, but these are not health insurance.
Best Questions for Agents:
When exploring your health plan options, you can ask the agent these questions to help determine if the coverage fits your needs.
- Is this a managed care or an indemnity plan?
- How much money do I have to pay out-of-pocket annually for medical care?
- Is there a co-pay for doctor visits? If so, what is it? Is there a separate co-pay for specialists?
- Does this plan include dental, vision care, and other special services?
- Can I continue seeing my current doctors?
- Are preventative or routine exams covered?
- Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions? If not, what’s excluded?
What is The Healthcare Marketplace?
The passage of the Affordable Care Act established the Healthcare Marketplace. There are two distinct divisions – a state level, and a federal level. 37 states are members of the federal exchange, and 14 are limited to a state exchange. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies are required to provide information about their plans and prices to the Healthcare Marketplace, so be prepared to do some local searching for affordable plans in your area.
The Healthcare Marketplace may also be referred to as the Health Insurance Marketplace. It is a website managed by the federal government. When you visit, you can enter a few personal details about yourself and start shopping for plans in a matter of minutes.
What is the Health Insurance Exchange?
The Health Insurance Exchange is the pool of health care plans and providers which are cooperating with the federal government to provide affordable health insurance to Americans in many states. 37 states are members of the Exchange on the federal level: AL, AK, AZ, AK, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, and WY.
To see if you qualify for a tax subsidy, you need to enroll on the Healthcare Marketplace website (either the federal one or your state’s website). If you do not qualify for a subsidy for whatever reason, you have the option of shopping through the Exchange or in your state’s private marketplace.
When Should You Sign Up?
Keep the following terms in mind, as they will help make the search for insurance easier:
- Obamacare – a nickname (sometimes considered derogatory) for the Affordable Care Act. Its full name is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It was signed into law by President Barack Obama in March of 2010.
- Healthcare Marketplace – a resource for those without health insurance to find affordable coverage through either a state or federal exchange.
- Subsidized Health Insurance – The passing of the Affordable Care Act began the process of subsidizing (offering at a lower cost) health insurance plans for those who cannot otherwise afford health insurance and medical care.
- Medical Insurance – another term for health insurance. Also synonymous with healthcare plans and medical coverage.
- Health Insurance Companies – companies that underwrite (provide) health insurance plans. They are responsible for paying out claims when their beneficiaries (customers) receive medical care.
- Health Insurance Quotes – most health insurance companies are required to give you an accurate estimate of what you should expect to pay as well as the terms of your health insurance plan, should you decide to do business with them. These estimates are commonly referred to as “quotes”.
- Premium – the monthly cost you must pay to maintain your health insurance coverage. Also sometimes referred to as a “monthly premium”.
- Deductible – a fixed dollar amount your insurance company will require you to pay out-of-pocket for your medical care before they will pay out any claims. The deductible and monthly premium are inversely related: the higher the premium, the lower the deductible, and vice versa.
We have been trained in the marketplace. It would be our pleasure to help you out.