So I went to a healthcare forum

So I went to a healthcare forum in Downey last night. It was pretty informative and I learned some stuff, so I’m going to share what I learned, as best I can. I’m sure there’s more info that much better informed people can share (people who are NOT me), and that’s why I’ll include websites of where you can find people who know more than me.

Here is the gist of what I got:

Healthcare.gov is the government’s website with all the info for this new healthcare business. For spanish, go to ciudadodesalud.org.

With this new healthcare law, the only things insurance companies can now take into consideration when giving you a plan are:

If you are an individual, or a family
Geographic location
Age
Tobacco use*

*That last one, tobacco use, does NOT apply to California. So in reality, for California, insurance companies can only take the first three things into account when giving you an insurance plan.

If you don’t already have health insurance, open enrollment for 2014 is from Oct 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. You must enroll by December 15, 2013 in order for your coverage to start on January 1, 2014. If you enroll after that, your coverage will begin on the 1st of the next month if you signed up on or before the 15th of the previous month. If you signed up on the 16th or after, your coverage will begin on the 1st of the month after next. So, signed up for health insurance on January 14th? Your coverage starts on February 1st. Signed up for health insurance on January 16th? Your coverage starts March 1st.

Ok, so, if you don’t already have health insurance and don’t sign up for health insurance by March 31st, 2014 (this is how I understand it, anyway), come tax time, you will have to make a Shared Responsibility payment. For 2014, that payment is going to be $95 for an adult, $47.50 for a child, and $285 for a family. In 2015, it will be $325 for an adult, and in 2016 it will be $625 for an adult (didn’t write down what the payments would be for child or familiy on those last two). The idea is that this payment will incentivize you to get some freaking health insurance. You can have a three month gap between health insurance plans, and there will be 60 days given for special enrollment for life changing events (such as a change in employment, a baby, or a divorce).

If you already have health insurance and are planning to keep it, you’re good. You don’t have to do anything special, only to hang onto your health insurance.

There are premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies depending on income level and household size. The best place to look for more info on whether or not you qualify for these would be that healthcare.gov website.

Another thing coming with the Affordable Care Act is State Health Insurance Markeplaces, or “exchanges.” That’s going to be like a shopping place for health insurance plans, which will be categorized into Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum categories. The markeplace for California is called Covered California and can be accessed online (coveredca.com), by phone (888-975-1142), and by mail or fax. There is also in-person help you can get at certified enrollment entities (like hospitals or clinics), certified plan-based enrollers, certified insurance agents, and certified enrollment counselors. You can also check out your local county human or social services offices. The most important thing to remember – you should NOT have to pay for these services. So if someone offers to help you out with getting more info and getting you on a plan, but ask for a fee, send them packing! You should be able to get help for free.

To enroll for health insurance at these places or online, you need your social security number and your income info (to see if you quality for any of the tax credits or subisidies).

This presentation was given by a nice woman from triagecancer.org, so you can go there for more info as well.

Hope this was helpful somehow. I am using my one-hour alloted time of internet use at the Downey City Library to write up this blog post. Hope it made sense.