On October 1, 2013, you will be able to review the available health insurance programs in the marketplace to determine which plan or plans may be best for you and your family. All of the insurance plans, as well as programs available through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), will use one simple application form. And, there will be many ways to enroll − online, using a toll-free number, by mail or in person.
Here are four ways you can prepare now for the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- Watch the Health Insurance Marketplace Video – Learn about the Health Insurance Marketplace and how it works to help individuals, families and businesses obtain health insurance. English | Español
- Sign-up for Email or Text Alerts – Get the latest news about the Health Insurance Marketplace, learn how to enroll, and find answers to your questions. Visit www.healthcare.gov to subscribe.
- Make a Benefits Wish List – What benefits do you need? What coverage do you want for your children? Write down the benefits that you and your family need so you can determine which plan or plans may be best for you. Review your benefits “wish list” with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure you will have all you need to stay healthy.
- Gather your Information − Compile all the necessary information for your application. You will need your social security number, employer or income documentation for you and your family members requesting coverage, policy numbers of any current health insurance policy, and a completed Employer Coverage Tool for job-based plans you or your family members may be eligible. More information about the application process is available at www.healthcare.gov.
Where to Enroll
All health plans are provided by private insurance companies, but depending on where you live, the Health Insurance Marketplace may be run by your state or the federal government. If your state has its own marketplace, you will enroll through your state’s marketplace website. To learn what marketplace is available in your state, visit www.healthcare.gov, and it will tell you which website to use to apply for coverage.
In four simple steps, you can obtain your health coverage:
- Create an account
- Apply
- Pick a plan
- Enroll
Coverage starts January 1, 2014
Need Help or Have Questions
As part of the Affordable Care Act, “navigators” will be available within your community to answer your questions and to help you enroll in the marketplace. More information about navigators, such as their locations and how to contact them, will be provided closer to the open enrollment period.
You can also call the Marketplace Help Center at 1-800-318-2596. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer assistance. Another option is the online chat at www.healthcare.gov.
Additional Prescription Assistance Resources
If you still need help accessing your prescription medicines after the marketplace opens, or if you cannot find a health plan that meets your prescription needs, there are resources available that may help you. In Other Prescription Savings, you will find a list of several resources that offer public and private programs that provide savings, or even free medicines to those who qualify. We encourage you to explore your options so you can find a solution that is best for you.
