Affordable Care Act
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.
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
Twitter
@HealthCareGov - Twitter.com/HealthCareGov
@CuidadoDeSalud - Twitter.com/CuidadoDeSalud
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
Sign-up for email or text updates
Useful Links
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.
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/
Financial Information
Kaiser Family Foundation- http://kff.org/
Subsidy Calculator Independent analysis and information about the Affordable Care Act.
Health Information
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- http://marketplace.cms.gov/
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.
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.
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
@HealthCareGov - Twitter.com/HealthCareGov
@CuidadoDeSalud - Twitter.com/CuidadoDeSalud
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
Sign-up for email or text updates
Useful Links
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.
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/
Financial Information
Kaiser Family Foundation- http://kff.org/
Subsidy Calculator Independent analysis and information about the Affordable Care Act.
Health Information
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- http://marketplace.cms.gov/
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.