Open Enrollment begins November 15, 2014. Find out more about the Health Insurance Marketplace
Mark your calendar! Open Enrollement is around the corner
Open Enrollment is the time when you can find a new Marketplace plan, keep your current plan, or see if you can get help paying for coverage. If you want to make sure you’re covered in 2015, mark these 4 dates on your calendar:
- November 15, 2014. This is your first day to apply for, keep, or change your coverage.
- December 15, 2014. Enroll by the 15th if you want new coverage that begins on January 1, 2015. If your plan is changing or you want to change plans, enroll by December 15th to avoid a lapse in coverage.
- December 31, 2014. The day all 2014 Marketplace coverage ends, no matter when you enrolled. Coverage for 2015 plans can start as soon as January 1st.
- February 15, 2015. The last day you can enroll in 2015 coverage before the end of Open Enrollment.
So save the dates and share them with your friends and family -- because no one should miss out on affordable health coverage just because they missed the deadline.
General Information about the Health Insurance
Below you will find useful information about the Individual Marketplace and how to prepare for open enrollment. If you previously gained insurance in the marketplace or are looking to shop for new coverage click here.
- You can apply for insurance can in the Marketplace starting November 15, 2014
- About the Marketplace
- Get Quality Health Insurance Options
- Get a Break on Costs
- How to Prepare for Enrollment
- Want to talk to a Healthcare Marketplace Expert
- Information on how the Affordable Care Act is Working
If you are a Small Business looking to find informaiton regarding the Small Business Health Options Program click here.
About the Marketplace
The health insurance Marketplace is a one-stop shop where you can compare insurance plans and prices and purchase insurance that works for you. Whether you’re uninsured, or just want to explore new options, the Marketplace gives you more choice and control over your health insurance options.
The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that fits your budget, with less hassle.
The Marketplace is an online site where you can choose among quality private health insurance plans. And, tax credits to help make the insurance you choose more affordable are widely available.
Get Quality Health Insurance Options
Insurance plans in the Marketplace must meet various quality and affordability standards. For example, Every health insurance plan in the Marketplace is required to:
- provide free coverage for preventive services.
- offer comprehensive coverage, from doctors to medications to hospital visits.
- grant access to a range of doctors and clinicians.
- cap your out of pocket costs
- not have annual or lifetime limits on coverage
- not deny you care for having a pre-existing condition
- charge women the same rates as men
All plans will have to provide clear information on plan premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs before you decide to enroll, so you know what you are buying. All information on the health plans must be in easy-to-understand language and there can be no fine print.
Enrollment in the Marketplace begins on November 15, 2014 for health coverage starting on January 1, 2015.
Get a Break on Costs
Last, year 86% of the more than 8 million people who enrolled in private coverage through the marketplace received premium assistant. The tax subsidies are provided immediately and directly to the health plan you have chosen – immediately lowering what you pay in monthly premiums.
These subsidies are available on a sliding-scale for those with incomes between 100% and 400% of the poverty level (between $23,500 to $94,200 for a family of four in 2013).
To find an estimate of your eligibility for subsidies and how much you could spend on health insurance please use the below subsidy calculator. Please keep in mind this is an estimate as premiums and eligibility requirements may vary, contact your state’s Medicaid office or exchange with enrollment questions.
How to Prepare for Enrollment
Here is a helpful checklist to help individuals and families, prepare for open enrolled starting November 15, 2014. You will be able to enroll in the Marketplace online at Healthcare.gov ,by phone, or by mail.
Still have Questions & want to speak to someone about them?
The national toll-free consumer call center is open to answer those questions. The center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 1-800-318-2596. The call center will be able to provide the following assistance.
Stay up to date with the changes in your state by signing up for email and text updates.
