Starting October 1, 2013, the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange” will begin open enrollment. Coverage starts January 1, 2014.
Quick facts about the Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace is for people seeking insurance or who are uninsured. Generally, people who currently have insurance through their workplace, who have insurance through Medicaid/KanCare, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Tricare or the Veterans health care program are not the target of this open enrollment period.
Most people will be eligible for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The Marketplace is a new way to find quality health coverage. It can help if you don’t have coverage now or if you have it but want to look at other options.
The Marketplace simplifies your search for health coverage by gathering the options available in your area in one place. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, and other features important to you before you make a choice. Plans will be presented in four categories – bronze, silver, gold, and platinum – to make comparing them easier.
Insurance plans in the Marketplace are offered by private companies. They cover the same core set of benefits called essential health benefits. No plan can turn you away or charge you more because you have an illness or medical condition. They must cover treatments for these conditions. Plans can’t charge women more than men for the same plan. Many preventive services are covered at no cost to you.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital will be offering forums for the general public to learn more about the Affordable Care Act and signing up for the insurance through the Healthcare Marketplace.
If you are a consumer and have specific questions about the Affordable Care Act, please visit , the official Affordable Care Act website, for more information. To read more about state-wide healthcare information, view ”Healthcare in Kansas” from the Kansas Insurance Department.