Affordable Care Act
Key Features of the Affordable Care Act
Go to hhs.gov to review the Key Features of the Affordable Care Act as outlined
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace was established in 2014. It’s a new way to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. The Health Insurance Marketplace is sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange.” With one application, you can see all your options and enroll.
When you use the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll fill out an application and find out if you can get lower costs on your monthly premiums for private insurance plans. You’ll find out if you qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs. The Marketplace will also tell you if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Open enrollment started October 1, 2013, and coverage started January 1, 2014.
You can apply for Marketplace coverage three ways: online, by mail, or in-person with the help of a Navigator or other qualified helper. Telephone help and online chat will be available 24/7 to help you complete your application. See the video above for more information.
Compare Options in the Health Insurance Marketplace
Insurance plans in the Marketplace are offered by private companies, and they cover the same core set of benefits called Essential Health Benefits. No plan can turn you away or charge you more because you have an illness or medical condition. They must cover treatments for these conditions.