Are You Confused About

ObamaCare? Here are 10 Things To

Know About Health Insurance.

The start of enrollment begin

for the new healthinsurance marketplace is

six weeks away, and perhaps you've got questions. Such as: How will it affect you, and should you be doing

anything to get ready now?

Answers to what people have been asking about the start of enrollment in the

marketplace, set for Oct. 1, 2013, in some of these 10

basic things to know:

1) The Affordable Care

Act requires nearly everyone

tohave health insurance

starting Jan. 1, 2014, or pay a financial penalty.

This applies to you, unless you are:

•— In prison.

•— An undocumented immigrant.

•— Earning too little to file a tax return.

•— Accepting health insurance is against your religion.

•— You'd have to pay more than 8 percent of your income for insurance after counting what your employer contributes and any tax credits you'd receive for a health plan through the state marketplace.

2) Coverage for the uninsured will be accessed

through the new online marketplace.

Formerly called the health exchange, this is the umbrella under which different health

plans are being made available to individuals, families and

small businesses.

Through the marketplace, you can review health plans

that are available and access coverage and

subsidies.www.AIADirectQuote.c

om

3) Who needs to pay attention to the

marketplace and upcoming enrollment? Basically,

anyone who is uninsured and under 65.

Most people are covered under employer health

plans and will continue with that form of coverage.

If you're on Medicare, note: It isn't part of the health

insurance marketplace, and the marketplace won't

affect Medicare choices and benefits.

4) How much will marketplace plan rates

cost?That is still unknown.

Information on rates and plans hasn't been released,

and there isn't a date yet for when it will be available,

according to state Department of Insurance spokeswoman Kimberly

Parker.

5) What financial assistance is available for health

coverage? Tax credits will be available

to help anyone with a household income at 139-400 percent of the federal

poverty level. That's an income of $15,500 to

$44,680 for an individual and $32,000 to $92,200 for

a family of four.

Applicants will have three options for subsidy

payments. They'll be able to take them monthly to be directly applied toward

their premium payments or at the end of the year, or have them applied toward partial monthly premium assistance, with the rest

paid at the end of the year.

Health plans will be available in four categories of cost-sharing levels called

bronze, silver, gold and platinum. People with an

income at the low end, 139-200 percent of the federal

poverty level, will also eligible to apply for cost

sharing on one of the silver-level plans that will lower their out-of-pocket costs.

6) What if your income is even less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level?

You will be directed to apply for coverage under the

expanded state Medicaid (public insurance) program.

Don't worry about which one you qualify for,

marketplace or Medicaid. You apply for both through the marketplace, and once you provide your income

information, you'll be directed accordingly.

NOTE: If you qualify for Medicaid, you won't be able

to receive financial assistance for a

marketplace health plan.

Are You Confused Yet?

7) Can you still apply for marketplace coverage if you earn more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level?

Yes, but you won't be eligible for financial

assistance.

People with coverage meeting certain standards

through their employers are also ineligible for the tax

credits.I urge people currently buying individual coverage (not

through their employers) to check out the plans and rates on the marketplace, even if

they are going to be ineligible for subsidies.

www.AIADirectQuote.comThe coverage and rates on

plans in the marketplace may be a better deal, and comparisons should be simple to make online!

The above website you can obtain a FREE quote from

multiple carriers

8) I am an adult with a pre-existing health condition.

Can I enroll in a marketplace plan?

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, it is already illegal for

insurers to discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions, and

starting next year, the same protection will be in effect for

adults.

9) What should you do to get ready now?•— Take a look at your budget.•— Prepare what questions you may have about coverage. Help will be available on the phone and through in-person assistance being made available starting Oct. 1, 2013 at various locations, among them public health departments.

Health Care Consumers will also be available to answer

questions.

— Start gathering your financial paperwork. Among

what you'll need: Family members' Social Security numbers and information about your family income,

such as pay stubs.

10) Where can I learn more?

— Check out sample applications and learn more

about the marketplace at www.AIADirectQuote.c

om Multiple health insurance carriers available.

www.AIADirectQuote.com

www.AIADirectQuote.com

“Remember It Is Not What YOU

Know, But What YOU Do With What

YOU Know!”www.AIADirectQuote.c

om