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It's as Easy as Ever to Sign up for Obamacare

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  • JaredS
    2015-11-17 02:58:28 PM
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    Open enrollment season is under way and that means you can apply for health insurance anytime between now and January 31, 2016. While you can wait until January 31 to sign up, you will have to have your application complete by December 15, 2015.

    The best way to begin your application process is by starting at Healthcare.gov. If you already have coverage and want to consider changing it then you should click on the tab that says "Log in to Keep/Change Plans." If you currently DO NOT have coverage then you will click on the tab that says "Take the First Step to Apply."

    You will then be asked to select the state you reside in. You will then be asked to enter your zip code and will either be taken to the Federal exchange or your state exchange if your state runs its own exchange.

    After that you will be asked a few questions about household income, size of household, your age and sex, and if you smoke tobacco. These answers will help determine if you are eligible for a subsidy to help offset the cost of your monthly premium or if you may even be eligible for Medicaid.

    **If you qualify for Medicaid then there is NO DEADLINE for applications.**

    After you enter all the required information you will be taken to a page showing the various plans you can choose from. There are three main categories--Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums, but higher deductibles. The Silver plans have slightly higher monthly premiums, but lower deductibles. And the Gold plans have the highest monthly premiums, but the lowest deductibles.

    What plan works for you depends on a host of issues, most notably your current health status and income. If you need to talk to someone in person that will help you navigate this maze then don't worry because there are people there to help you all along the way. There is a contact page on Healthcare.gov that give you various options to reach out to them. If you would rather call someone directly then there's a 24/7 Hotline that you can call at 1-800-318-2596.

  • justin412
    2016-01-12 04:00:42 PM
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    I just had a conversation with someone who forgot to sign up before the December deadline and thought they missed their opportunity to sign up for health insurance. He was surprised when I told him that he could sign up for coverage through the end of January.

    It would be nice if there were more TV advertisements explaining the open enrollment period. The internet is great and easy to navigate if you understand it, but there are many people out there who either don't have the internet or don't know how to utilize it.

    Hopefully this will change as Obamacare grows "older."

  • Azzis
    2016-01-15 08:18:24 PM
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    It's as easy as ever to sign up for health care as long as your income and circumstances fall within the lines drawn by the buerocratic machine, and you live in the right state. Otherwise it's cheaper to risk paying the penalty down the road. The market place provides me with plans whose premiums are higer than my gross income, and deductibles that are that much more again. I dont qualify for Medicaid in my state. My income is to low for tax credits to apply. And as I said, premiums exceed my gross income. Yeah it's exactly as easy as it was last year to.sign up. I could at least afford a small policy before the "afforable" health care act, but oddly those policies are no longer available. This entire system is a disaster, and a money eating machine.
  • justin412
    2016-01-20 10:22:37 PM
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    Azzis Wrote: It's as easy as ever to sign up for health care as long as your income and circumstances fall within the lines drawn by the buerocratic machine, and you live in the right state. Otherwise it's cheaper to risk paying the penalty down the road.

    And this is why the health care costs are so high in this country. It's people who don't want to chip in and pay their fair share, but then go to the emergency room and expect to get the best service in the world whenever something does happen. If someone can't afford coverage then there are ways to help alleviate the costs of insurance, but if someone can afford coverage and chooses not to then I have no sympathy for them if something goes wrong.

    Azzis Wrote: The market place provides me with plans whose premiums are higer than my gross income, and deductibles that are that much more again. I dont qualify for Medicaid in my state. My income is to low for tax credits to apply. And as I said, premiums exceed my gross income.

    I am extremely familiar with this law and if your monthly premiums are higher than your income then you would, without a doubt, qualify for Medicaid. There is zero, and I mean ZERO, chance that you wouldn't qualify for Medicaid if your monthly premiums would exceed your gross monthly income.

    The law is written in a way that gradually charges more to people who can pay more and gives tax credits to those who need them. These tax credits are based off your income and family size. If your premium exceeds your gross income then there is zero chance you are not eligible for help.

    I encourage you to visit Healthcare.gov page that has you select your state and family size to see what benefits you and your family may be eligible for.

    Azzis Wrote: Yeah it's exactly as easy as it was last year to.sign up. I could at least afford a small policy before the "afforable" health care act, but oddly those policies are no longer available. This entire system is a disaster, and a money eating machine.

    I strongly disagree.

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