It's not clear what would happen if that attempt to overturn the federal health law succeeds. Meanwhile, federal courts are weighing a legal challenge that could strike down the ACA Consumers who work with an insurance broker should be sure to communicate their desire to choose an ACA-compliant plan. One easy way to distinguish ACA-compliant plans from others: Make sure you're shopping through or an alternative set up by some states. "A lot of it is going to be junky, skimpy coverage." "If you were to Google something like 'ACA plan' or 'Obamacare plan,' the first results will return insurances that are not ACA coverage," Corlette warned. These plans are not eligible for federal subsidies. Some have lifetime caps on benefits, and they typically don't cover prescription drugs. They also generally cover a much narrower range of benefits. Pitched as a cheaper alternative to ACA coverage, they are allowed to factor in preexisting medical conditions - and can deny insurance to people because of their medical history. (Previously they lasted only three months and were treated as bare-bones, stopgap insurance.) The Trump administration has loosened restrictions on non-ACA policies - "short-term plans" - so that they can last up to 12 months. Not everything that looks like an ACA plan actually is oneĬonsumers should be wary of plans that look like they meet ACA standards but actually fall short. But assuming you are a legal resident, nothing has changed in terms of your entitlement," she says. "If you have concerns or are worried, you should consult an immigration attorney. The court ruling means that, at least for now, legal immigrants should also be able to purchase subsidized health insurance with no penalty, Corlette says. Known as the "public charge" rule, it would have counted that subsidy against people looking to stay longer in the United States. People who bought coverage last fall and don't shop around will be automatically reenrolled in those health plans - which may not be the best for their needs and may be more expensive than other options.Īlso worth noting: Federal courts recently blocked a rule that would have penalized recent legal immigrants who use those subsidies. (How much plans charge can change each year.) That tax break can make it easier to find affordable, comprehensive coverage, Corlette says, and she recommends that people who already have 2019 ACA plans shop around the marketplace to make sure they get the best deal going into 2020. The federal government has an online calculator that indicates whether you fit into this bracket. Many people don't realize that if their incomes are below 400% of the federal poverty level (just under $50,000 for an individual or about $103,000 for a family of four) they qualify for federal subsidies - tax credits that help them pay for individual marketplace plans, Corlette says. On average, premiums are down 4% nationally over last year for silver-level plans sold through the federal marketplace. You can get a cheaper plan this year, but it will probably require a bit of work "Without advertising and information, folks are going to miss out on the deals they could get." "The irony is, things are really stable, and depending on your state, you can really save," Keith says. In the second week of the sign-up period, enrollment was about 10% below what it was in last year's second week - but the number of new customers has gone up. That's still slightly lower than where things were last year - and first-day website glitches may have played a role, suggests Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. So far, about 930,000 people have signed up for coverage. Lack of outreach, combined with Republican efforts to overturn or undermine the law, could give consumers a wrong impression, says Katie Keith, a health policy consultant who frequently writes about the health law. The Trump administration has dramatically scaled back its outreach and marketing budget for open enrollment - allotting about $10 million for such efforts, compared with the more than $100 million the Obama administration spent. You might not hear much about that this year. But other key tenets of the ACA remain in place, including the individual marketplace it created where people can shop for health coverage. The GOP-led Congress gutted a key part of the law - the penalty for the individual mandate - that required everyone to have coverage.
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