Are You Covered???

     Good evening, Family...  Are you aware that come January 1st, 2014 everyone will have to have medical insurance coverage or face a financial penalty?  This is the result of the Affordable Care Act.  No, it's not punishment, but it makes people who can afford to pay for their healthcare take some responsibility.  As with any government program, there are a few exceptions, including, but not limited to, income limitations, American-Indian ethnicity, people on medicare/medicaid,  veterans and their families, Children's health Insurance plan participants (CHIP), and those covered by their employers health plans.  

    The suggestion is to complete the questionnaire on the website.  This questionnaire which is optional will help by compiling your information and making "recommendations" for the best medical insurance plans for you/your family.  

     Now, don't get me wrong, you DO NOT HAVE TO sign up for medical insurance, but as I said there will be a penalty to pay.  First of all, you will pay a fee for each person in your household.  Second,  if you choose to not have coverage and pay the penalty fees, (remember you do not have health insurance coverage)  WHENEVER you go to receive medical care, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE for the FULL cost of services you receive.  

     The health care law protects you in several ways (you probably have started seeing television commercials):

• Insurance companies HAVE to cover people with pre-existing conditions.  Yes, there are exceptions because some insurance companies are grandfathered insurance plans.  But if that is the case, you can drop them and switch to a Marketplace plan during OPEN ENROLLMENT and get immediate coverage.
• Insurance companies are being held accountable for rate increases
• Protects your choice of doctors
• Insurance companies CANNOT drop you from coverage because you are sick
• These insurance plans provide FREE preventive care
• There will be an end to lifetime and yearly dollar limits on coverage of essential health benefits
• You are guaranteed a right to appeal

     Now, I am sure someone is asking this question.  What if I need insurance, now?  You can buy individual insurance that starts before January 1st, BUT some rights and benefits won't apply until that date.  There is help on the Healthcare.gov website that will lead you to the PLAN FINDER which is a government website that will help you find available private health plans.  Just remember that this is NOT the Marketplace.  What does that mean?  

• You may be denied coverage or be charged more for pre-existing conditions
• You will NOT be able to get lower costs based on your income
• The plans do not have to offer essential health benefits like preventive screenings

     Now, this is just a little bit of information about what is coming in the future.  If you are able to check out www.healthcare.gov you will find more in-depth information.  REMEMBER these dates:

• OCTOBER 1ST, 2013--Enrollment STARTS
• JANUARY 1ST, 2014--Plan coverage STARTS
• MARCH 14TH, 2014--Enrollment ENDS

     Do NOT get left out.  Be pro-active.  Check things out.  It will benefit you, if you have no coverage now.  You may even find that the health insurance coverage you have now is not sufficient and you want to change plans.  This is about you and your health.  Don't sleep on this, Family...  SMOOCHES