Marketplaces

• Statewide insurance marketplaces offering more options that resemble Expedia for health insurance.

• Starting October 1, 2013, you can use the Marketplace to:

  • Compare health plans to pick the best one for you and your family
  • Find out if you qualify for tax credits that help lower the cost of your health insurance
  • Find out if you qualify for government programs, like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

• Check out the Health Insurance Marketplace tab for more information!

Tax Credits

• Uninsured individuals who earn between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level will be eligible for tax credits to help with the cost of insurance through the Marketplace. This would mean a monthly income between $1,238-$3,723 for a single individual or between $2,116-$6,363 for a family of three.
• Look here to see what income levels will be eligible http://www.ngoziproject.org/resources/healthcare-reform.html#table2.

Medicaid Expansion

• Medicaid Expansion: the Supreme Court’s ruling on the ACA allows states to opt out of the law’s Medicaid expansion, leaving the decision to extend Medicaid, or coverage for low-income adults, up to states.
• Maryland and D.C. have both opted to expand Medicaid. Virginia is currently undecided on Medicaid expansion.
• Look here to see what income levels will be eligible: http://www.ngoziproject.org/resources/healthcare-reform.html#table1.

No More Pre-Existing Conditions

• No more discrimination – everyone who wants to buy care can, and they can’t be charged more for based on health, gender, etc.

The New Health Care Law and Immigrants

• Go to this website to see how the new health care law will affect immigrants http://www.ngoziproject.org/resources/healthcare-reform.html#four.

Individual Mandate

• The new health law says that health insurance will be required starting January 1, 2014. That means everyone must get or have health insurance.
• If you currently get your insurance through a large employer, your health insurance coverage only changes if your employer chooses to change it. You can keep the coverage you have and still see the same doctor.
• If you currently get your insurance through a small business, the law creates opportunities for your employer to purchase higher quality and more affordable health insurance coverage.
• If you are currently enrolled in Medicaid, you will be able to keep your Medicaid coverage as long as you are still eligible.
• If you are currently enrolled in Medicare, you will be able to keep your Medicare coverage.
• The IRS will send you a reminder about the new law. You may have to pay a fine. If you do not get health insurance, the amount of the fine will go up every year.
• You may not have to pay a fine if:
  You cannot find insurance that costs less than 8% of your household income,
  You are a Native American, religious objector, or in prison, or
  Your income is low but you do not qualify for any government program.