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Affordable Care Act
No doubt, you have questions about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and what it means for you and your family. You have probably heard talk of its promise of expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage for millions of Americans and businesses. You may have also heard that the largest benefits of the law will become available in the fall and winter of 2013. We are now in the midst of the most important and historic reforms to our health care system in decades. My goal is to help connect the residents of the 4th Congressional District of Wisconsin to the resources they need to secure insurance coverage for themselves and their families.
Walk through the Health Care Marketplace with the Youtoons, provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The Affordable Care Act started to deliver benefits and protections soon after it was signed into law by President Obama in 2010. For example, in the 4th Congressional District of Wisconsin, 7,200 young adults have been able to get health insurance through their parents’ plans. Over 6,100 seniors have received prescription drug discounts that are worth $9.3 million, with an average discount of $800 thus far in 2013. 151,000 individuals, including 30,000 children and 65,000 women, now have access to preventive services without being charged any co-pays or deductibles. Good things have already happened—and there is more to come!
See how the Affordable Care Act is transforming the lives of millions across the country.
Health Insurance Marketplaces
Beginning on October 1st, a new Health Insurance Marketplace (sometimes referred to as a “health insurance exchange”) will open in every state. Each Marketplace will have two components: one for individuals, and one for small businesses, referred to as the Small Business Health Options Program or “SHOP.” For the first time in the history of the private insurance market, consumers will be able to go to one place to check on their insurance options, make apples-to-apples comparisons of the plans before they make their decisions, and in many cases, receive financial assistance to sign up. Enrollment into the Marketplace can be done online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you need help navigating the system, there will be resources available to you.
All the health plans in the Marketplaces will offer comprehensive coverage, including physician visits, preventive care, and access to a range of services and prescriptions. Importantly, many families and small businesses will now qualify for tax credits and lower out-of-pocket costs that will make health care an affordable reality for them.
Calculate your savings now through the Kaiser Family Foundation calculator!
Each state’s Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace will focus solely on small businesses, where employers will be able to choose from a range of plans to offer their employees—and many will be able to receive tax credits to help cover costs. Under the Affordable Care Act, businesses with fewer than 50 employees do not have to provide coverage to their workers, but they can receive substantial tax credits for voluntarily doing so. These businesses and their workers will now have access to the same quality, affordable plans that were previously only available for larger businesses.
Check out this video on SHOP for small businesses.
How the ACA Benefits Wisconsin:
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How the ACA Benefits Women:
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are banned from denying women coverage for “pre-existing conditions,” that in the past included breast or cervical cancer, pregnancy or having been the victim of domestic violence. In addition, 47 million women will now have free access to comprehensive preventive services.
How the ACA Benefits Young Adults and Children:
The Affordable Care Act allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health plans up to their 26th birthday. Over 6.6 million young adults have already taken advantage of the law to get coverage through their parents’ plan. The new law also provides access to a wide range of services for children at no charge and prohibits insurers from denying coverage to children under age 19 who have a pre-existing condition. This reform provides protection from discrimination for nearly 17 million children.
Please click here for more information on young adults.
Please click here for more information on the free preventive care available for children.
See how Abby, who is under 26, now qualifies for health care under the Affordable Care Act.
How the ACA Benefits Seniors:
Under the Affordable Care Act, seniors will now have access to several new benefits and improvements to Medicare. Improvements to Medicare include new reduced costs for prescription drugs, free coverage of key preventive services and a free Annual Wellness Visit.
How the ACA Benefits Veterans:
If you are enrolled in the Veterans health care program or TRICARE, your coverage will stay the same. If you are not enrolled, you are eligible to access coverage through the Marketplace. For more information, please click here.
For additional information, please visit HHS’s newly launched website, HealthCare.gov, which will be the Marketplace’s online home starting in October. For Spanish speaking consumers, CuidadoDeSalud.gov has also been updated in preparation for the Marketplace.
Toll-free call centers will be available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-318-2596 TTY: 1-855-889-4325
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