Affordable Care Act Resources

As we prepare for major provisions of the Affordable Care Act to take place in 2014--such as the launching of insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses--I want to make sure people in Maine have access to the resources they need to take full advantage of the law and its reforms. I hope you find the fact sheets and links below helpful.
--Chellie

HealthCare.gov
On June 24, Health and Human Services launched a new, consumer-focused HealthCare.gov website to help Americans prepare for open enrollment and ultimately sign up for private health insurance. This new website will help Americans understand their choices and select the coverage that best suits their needs when open enrollment in the new Health Insurance Marketplaces begins on October 1. The website also has a timeline of the Affordable Care Act's implementation.

The new website serves both consumers who are looking for coverage and small business owners who will have access to new SHOP Marketplaces. For Spanish-speaking consumers, CuidadoDeSalud.gov has also been updated to match HealthCare.gov new consumer focus. Both HealthCare.gov and CuidadoDeSalud.gov have "web chat," enabling consumers to ask additional questions of trained HHS staff.

Toll-Free Consumer Call Center, 1-800-318-2596
There is now a toll-free consumer call center to answer questions on the upcoming Marketplaces, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 1-800-318-2596. In addition to English and Spanish, the call center provides assistance in more than 150 languages through an interpretation and translation service.

The call center will provide educational information and, starting October 1, assist with completing an enrollment application and eligibility determination, performing a plan comparison to assist callers with selecting their insurance options, addressing issues related to premium information, determining tax credit eligibility, and complaints about health plan issuers.

Fact Sheets

• Health insurance marketplaces
• Programs for small businesses
• Benefits for women
• Improvements for seniors
• Help for young adults and children

Other Resources

Kaiser Family Health Foundation
The Kaiser Family Health Foundation's website offers a wealth of information about healthcare reform, including FAQs, interactive calculators, and policy updates.