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http://webjunction.org/explore-topics/ehealth/aca-at-your-library.html
http://webjunction.org/explore-topics/ehealth/aca-at-your-library.html
Affordable Care Act
In March 2010, a health reform law was passed called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law was created to make preventive care more accessible and affordable for Americans. This law (known as Obamacare) will take effect October 1st, 2013 and requires everyone to have health insurance or face financial penalties. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.
Health Insurance Marketplace
Marketplace Health Plans
Marketplace Process
Marketplace Help Resources
Marketplace Application Checklist
Useful Links
Health Insurance Marketplace
Starting October 1, 2013, you can visit Healthcare.gov (En Español: CuidadoDeSalud.gov) to fill out an application and see plan choices. This process will help you determine if you qualify, or can get lower cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)*. All Marketplace plans offer the same set of comprehensive benefits. They cover things like pre-existing conditions, pregnancy hospitalizations, prescriptions, and doctor’s visits. Visit here for a list of what is covered.
*You can sign-up for Medicaid or CHIP at anytime.
Insurance carriers participating in the marketplace include:
Aetna Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Carle Foundation
Coventry Health Care Inc.
Humana Inc.
Land of Lincoln Health
Paper applications can also be printed out from the CMS.gov website. The Marketplace will have paper forms and an address to mail to
soon. Questions or to enroll via phone? Call 1-800-318-2596 TTY: 1-855-889-4325
Marketplace Health Plans
For every plan, you will pay a monthly premium and out-of-pocket expenses when you receive services. In general, the lower the premium, the higher the out-of-pocket costs when you need care; the higher the premium, the lower the out-of-pocket costs when you need care. The way you pay your portion of these costs is through deductibles and copayments or co-insurance.
The Marketplace offers four categories of plans, plus a catastrophic plan:
• Bronze plan: You pay 40% of your costs, the plan covers 60%
• Silver plan: You pay 30% of your costs, the plan covers 70%
• Gold plan: You pay 20% of your costs, the plan covers 80%
• Platinum plan: You pay 10% of your costs, the plan covers 90%
• Catastrophic Plan: Available up to age 30
The Process
Visit the Using the Marketplace and the Help Center for information on how to apply for coverage. Below are the steps you will take to apply.
Create an account
The first step is to provide some basic information. Then choose a user name, password, and security questions for added protection.
Apply
Starting October 1, 2013, you’ll enter information about you and your family, including your income, household size, and more. Use this checklist now to help you gather the information you’ll need.
Pick a plan
Next you’ll see all the plans and programs you’re eligible for and compare them side-by-side. You’ll also find out if you can get lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Enroll
Choose a plan that meets your needs and enroll. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.
Marketplace Help Resources
The Marketplace will offer several kinds of assistance to help you apply for coverage and choose a plan that meets your needs. These resources (below) can be found in the Marketplace Help Center.
Online questions and answers
Online chat — available now
A toll-free call center—available now
Facebook Facebook.com/HealthCareGov
Facebook.com/CuidadoDeSaludGov
Twitter
@HealthCareGov - Twitter.com/HealthCareGov
@CuidadoDeSalud - Twitter.com/CuidadoDeSalud
YouTube YouTube.com/HealthCareGov
Other Useful Marketplace Links
Health Insurance Marketplace (Spanish version- CuidadoDeSalud.gov)
Dental Coverage
Get an estimate on cost and savings
How to get lower costs throught the Marketplace
Medicaid Questions
Plan Information
Sign-up for email or text updates
State by State Fact Sheet
For Illinois (individual coverage is based on your home address)
Marketplace Application Checklist
When you apply for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace, you'll need to provide some information about you and your household, including income, any insurance you currently have, and some additional items.
Use the checklist below to help you gather what you need to apply for coverage. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.
1. Social Security Numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants)
2. Employer and income information for every member of your household who needs coverage (for example, from pay stubs or W-2 forms- Wage and Tax Statements)
3. Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household
Useful Links
Avoiding Scams
AARP- http://www.firstseniorfinancialgroup.com/aarp-warns-obamacare-scam/
Care and Coverage Information
Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)- http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html
An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the HRSA is the is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.
Insure Kids Now- www.insurekidsnow.gov Provides answers to children's insurance questions.
Medicaid Affordable Care Act- http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Affordable-Care-Act.html
Details how the Affordable Care Act will affect Medicaid beginning in 2014.
Rural Assistance Center- http://www.raconline.org/
An online library focused on health and human services for rural America
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/
Information about the Marketplace, Prevention and Wellness, Facts and Features and the ACA law.
VA Affordable Care Act- http://www.va.gov/health/aca/
Explains the impact of the Affordable Care Act on former troops and their families.
Illinois Specific Sites
Illinois.gov- http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/healthcarereform/Pages/TheAffordableCareAct.aspx
Illinois Health Matters- http://illinoishealthmatters.org/
Information for individuals, families and small businesses on how health care reform will be implemented in our state.
Illinois Department of Insurance- http://insurance.illinois.gov/
A clearinghouse of information on the ACA and how it relates to IL. Frequently updated.
Local Help- LocalHelp.healthcare.gov (En Español: ayudalocal.cuidadodesalud.gov )
Identify local Affordable Care Act (ACA) consumer assistance destinations in your area. Local consumer assisters can provide personal help in applying for healthcare coverage through the ACA. Please note, this site is still in the process of updating locations, so please check back for more locations to be added.
Fact Sheets
AARP- http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/health_reform_factsheets/
HHS- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/index.html
Financial Information
Kaiser Family Foundation- http://kff.org/
Subsidy Calculator Independent analysis and information about the Affordable Care Act.
HHS- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/insurance/premiums/index.html
Provides information about Premiums.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)- MAGI Summary
Eligibility for Medicaid and subsidized health insurance through the Exchanges will be calculated using ahousehold’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). This PDF contains more information about MAGI.
Health Information
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- http://marketplace.cms.gov/
FAQ for the Marketplace- https://questions.cms.gov/faq.php?id=5005&rtopic=1993
Medline Plus- http://medlineplus.gov
Provides information on health topics, a medical encyclopedia, interactive health tutorials and videos, drug information and more.
Non-for-Profits and other Independent Organization Information
Consumer Reports Free Guides to Health Care Reform-
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/03/download-our-free-guides-to-health-care-reform-and-medicare/index.htm
What does the new law mean for you and your family? Download these guides for answers.
In-Person
Assistance-
http://www.enrollamerica.org/best-practices-institute/assistance-resource-center#ipa_program
Small Businesses Information
Small Business Health Care Consortium- http://cbhconline.org/smallbusiness/
A consortium is for small business owners, self employed entrepreneurs and non-profits to help them educate and advocate for health reform to meet the needs of small businesses.
Small Business Majority Health Coverage Guide- http://healthcoverageguide.org/
Provides independent, unbiased information to small business owners on everything they need to know about offering health insurance.
Get Covered Illinois: Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Get Covered Illinois
gets consumers to the right place to access plans from the eight insurers offering coverage in Illinois or to determine if they are eligible for low-cost Medicaid program. The Get Covered Illinois website guides consumers to the right place to view coverage options and the financial help available to them.
Help desk: Trained Illinois specialists can take consumers through the website screening process and help them enroll.
Community organizations: Official partner organizations can give consumers in-person assistance with the website.
Navigators: In the coming weeks, nearly 1,200 trained specialists will also be available to help Illinois residents understand the
plans and how to obtain financial support through government subsidies
Paper applications from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Individual Short Form: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-short-form.pdf
Individual without Financial Assistance: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-no-financial-assistance.pdf
Family Form: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-standard.pdf
Health Insurance Marketplace
Marketplace Health Plans
Marketplace Process
Marketplace Help Resources
Marketplace Application Checklist
Useful Links
Health Insurance Marketplace
Starting October 1, 2013, you can visit Healthcare.gov (En Español: CuidadoDeSalud.gov) to fill out an application and see plan choices. This process will help you determine if you qualify, or can get lower cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)*. All Marketplace plans offer the same set of comprehensive benefits. They cover things like pre-existing conditions, pregnancy hospitalizations, prescriptions, and doctor’s visits. Visit here for a list of what is covered.
*You can sign-up for Medicaid or CHIP at anytime.
Insurance carriers participating in the marketplace include:
Aetna Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Carle Foundation
Coventry Health Care Inc.
Humana Inc.
Land of Lincoln Health
Paper applications can also be printed out from the CMS.gov website. The Marketplace will have paper forms and an address to mail to
soon. Questions or to enroll via phone? Call 1-800-318-2596 TTY: 1-855-889-4325
Marketplace Health Plans
For every plan, you will pay a monthly premium and out-of-pocket expenses when you receive services. In general, the lower the premium, the higher the out-of-pocket costs when you need care; the higher the premium, the lower the out-of-pocket costs when you need care. The way you pay your portion of these costs is through deductibles and copayments or co-insurance.
The Marketplace offers four categories of plans, plus a catastrophic plan:
• Bronze plan: You pay 40% of your costs, the plan covers 60%
• Silver plan: You pay 30% of your costs, the plan covers 70%
• Gold plan: You pay 20% of your costs, the plan covers 80%
• Platinum plan: You pay 10% of your costs, the plan covers 90%
• Catastrophic Plan: Available up to age 30
The Process
Visit the Using the Marketplace and the Help Center for information on how to apply for coverage. Below are the steps you will take to apply.
Create an account
The first step is to provide some basic information. Then choose a user name, password, and security questions for added protection.
Apply
Starting October 1, 2013, you’ll enter information about you and your family, including your income, household size, and more. Use this checklist now to help you gather the information you’ll need.
Pick a plan
Next you’ll see all the plans and programs you’re eligible for and compare them side-by-side. You’ll also find out if you can get lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Enroll
Choose a plan that meets your needs and enroll. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.
Marketplace Help Resources
The Marketplace will offer several kinds of assistance to help you apply for coverage and choose a plan that meets your needs. These resources (below) can be found in the Marketplace Help Center.
Online questions and answers
Online chat — available now
A toll-free call center—available now
Facebook Facebook.com/HealthCareGov
Facebook.com/CuidadoDeSaludGov
@HealthCareGov - Twitter.com/HealthCareGov
@CuidadoDeSalud - Twitter.com/CuidadoDeSalud
YouTube YouTube.com/HealthCareGov
Other Useful Marketplace Links
Health Insurance Marketplace (Spanish version- CuidadoDeSalud.gov)
Dental Coverage
Get an estimate on cost and savings
How to get lower costs throught the Marketplace
Medicaid Questions
Plan Information
Sign-up for email or text updates
State by State Fact Sheet
For Illinois (individual coverage is based on your home address)
Marketplace Application Checklist
When you apply for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace, you'll need to provide some information about you and your household, including income, any insurance you currently have, and some additional items.
Use the checklist below to help you gather what you need to apply for coverage. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.
1. Social Security Numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants)
2. Employer and income information for every member of your household who needs coverage (for example, from pay stubs or W-2 forms- Wage and Tax Statements)
3. Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household
Useful Links
Avoiding Scams
AARP- http://www.firstseniorfinancialgroup.com/aarp-warns-obamacare-scam/
Care and Coverage Information
Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)- http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html
An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the HRSA is the is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.
Insure Kids Now- www.insurekidsnow.gov Provides answers to children's insurance questions.
Medicaid Affordable Care Act- http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Affordable-Care-Act.html
Details how the Affordable Care Act will affect Medicaid beginning in 2014.
Rural Assistance Center- http://www.raconline.org/
An online library focused on health and human services for rural America
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/
Information about the Marketplace, Prevention and Wellness, Facts and Features and the ACA law.
VA Affordable Care Act- http://www.va.gov/health/aca/
Explains the impact of the Affordable Care Act on former troops and their families.
Illinois Specific Sites
Illinois.gov- http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/healthcarereform/Pages/TheAffordableCareAct.aspx
Illinois Health Matters- http://illinoishealthmatters.org/
Information for individuals, families and small businesses on how health care reform will be implemented in our state.
Illinois Department of Insurance- http://insurance.illinois.gov/
A clearinghouse of information on the ACA and how it relates to IL. Frequently updated.
Local Help- LocalHelp.healthcare.gov (En Español: ayudalocal.cuidadodesalud.gov )
Identify local Affordable Care Act (ACA) consumer assistance destinations in your area. Local consumer assisters can provide personal help in applying for healthcare coverage through the ACA. Please note, this site is still in the process of updating locations, so please check back for more locations to be added.
Fact Sheets
AARP- http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/health_reform_factsheets/
HHS- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/index.html
Financial Information
Kaiser Family Foundation- http://kff.org/
Subsidy Calculator Independent analysis and information about the Affordable Care Act.
HHS- http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/insurance/premiums/index.html
Provides information about Premiums.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)- MAGI Summary
Eligibility for Medicaid and subsidized health insurance through the Exchanges will be calculated using ahousehold’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). This PDF contains more information about MAGI.
Health Information
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- http://marketplace.cms.gov/
FAQ for the Marketplace- https://questions.cms.gov/faq.php?id=5005&rtopic=1993
Medline Plus- http://medlineplus.gov
Provides information on health topics, a medical encyclopedia, interactive health tutorials and videos, drug information and more.
Non-for-Profits and other Independent Organization Information
Consumer Reports Free Guides to Health Care Reform-
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/03/download-our-free-guides-to-health-care-reform-and-medicare/index.htm
What does the new law mean for you and your family? Download these guides for answers.
In-Person
Assistance-
http://www.enrollamerica.org/best-practices-institute/assistance-resource-center#ipa_program
Small Businesses Information
Small Business Health Care Consortium- http://cbhconline.org/smallbusiness/
A consortium is for small business owners, self employed entrepreneurs and non-profits to help them educate and advocate for health reform to meet the needs of small businesses.
Small Business Majority Health Coverage Guide- http://healthcoverageguide.org/
Provides independent, unbiased information to small business owners on everything they need to know about offering health insurance.
Get Covered Illinois: Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Get Covered Illinois
gets consumers to the right place to access plans from the eight insurers offering coverage in Illinois or to determine if they are eligible for low-cost Medicaid program. The Get Covered Illinois website guides consumers to the right place to view coverage options and the financial help available to them.
Help desk: Trained Illinois specialists can take consumers through the website screening process and help them enroll.
Community organizations: Official partner organizations can give consumers in-person assistance with the website.
Navigators: In the coming weeks, nearly 1,200 trained specialists will also be available to help Illinois residents understand the
plans and how to obtain financial support through government subsidies
Paper applications from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Individual Short Form: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-short-form.pdf
Individual without Financial Assistance: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-no-financial-assistance.pdf
Family Form: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Forms-Reports-and-Other-Resources/Downloads/marketplace-app-standard.pdf