ACA/Healthcare.gov

Based on Federal Guidelines of Open Enrollment

Based on Federal Guidelines of Open Enrollment

ACA health insurance is the same as on-exchange or off-exchange. This is the federally mandated coverage the government feels that you need. 

(I am not a lawyer, and my take on whether or not I agree about this is not important. This summary is intended to put understanding in your hands so you are educated and can avoid getting ripped off or mislead and can make a good decision for you and your family.)

There are some important distinctions between on-exchange and off-exchange.

On-exchange means you are applying for healthcare and asking the government to help pay the bill. In other words, it means getting a subsidy from the government to help pay for your monthly premium or get a return on your taxes.

Off-exchange is the same insurance as on the exchange but you pay all the cost. Therefore, you do not have to go through the government's www.healthcare.gov website.

When you go through the government site, a number of agencies in the government will go through all your information to verify what you told them is accurate, and if they cannot verify through their many channels, you will have to provide proof of identity, income, citizenship and other things.

Open enrollment is a time allotted for getting enrolled in a healthcare plan. Generally, open enrollment is from November 1 through December 15 but these dates are subject to change.

Short-term coverage is insurance like the insurance was before ACA. Short-Term coverage is underwritten, meaning you have to qualify (it does not take pre-existing conditions.) 

For example, I cannot qualify for short-term insurance because I am in a wheelchair. As these plans do not accept pre-existing conditions and are not full of other types of coverage that you may not need, they are usually less costly per month. 

That does not mean it is inferior coverage, not at all. It just does not make you pay for coverage you do not need, and they are not paying for a problem that you may already have, therefore it is less expensive. That is as simple as I can make it.

Call Whole Health 4 Life for more details.