What is the ACA / Marketplace?
What the Words mean…
The ACA is the “Affordable Care Act” which created the US Healthcare Marketplace. Some people call it “ObamaCare”.
Before the ACA, insurance companies could exclude people with preexisting conditions. Then some folks couldn’t afford regular doctor visits. And not only that, they often ended up in hospital emergency rooms. They were unable to pay for their treatments.
Why Buy Your Own Health Insurance?
Are you self employed, a gig economy worker, a consultant, retired early, or even unemployed?
Then you need your own health insurance. Yikes. How do you get– and pay for– health insurance? First– are you “eligible”?
You have to live in the USA, be a US citizen and not in jail. Sounds simple? You also have to be not eligible for employer insurance. If you are, then the government expects you to get your insurance that way.
More Good News
Depending on your income, you can get Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) for your health insurance. What does that mean for you?
If your annual income is at least $12,000, then the US government can subsidize your health insurance costs.
In fact, depending on your situation, you may pay less than $100 per month for health insurance for you and your family.
Last year, I paid $120 per month, this year I’m paying ZERO dollars per month.
Most people don’t know about these subsidies. Now, you do.
In the greater Houston area, there are less than a dozen companies that offer plans. Some offer Health Savings Accounts. These are tax advantaged. Some offer dental and/ or vision.
All have various restrictions on which doctors, hospitals or they cover. So you will want to have someone help you navigate those Plans.
I can help you find a Plan that best suits your unique situation.
My own health insurance is on the Marketplace and I review Plans every year, so as a licensed Texas Health Insurance Broker, I can help you out.
Click below if you would like a free consultation about your particular needs.
Daniel O’Connell
P.S. In less than an hour, you can: Review (your options); Decide (on a Plan); and then Relax (decompress & be more available to those you care about).