How to get health insurance
Are you looking How to get health insurance
1. The ACA health insurance marketplace
The health insurance marketplace at Healthcare.gov provides insurance plans to individuals, families and small businesses. Through this online resource, you can learn more about health insurance, compare plans, enroll in a plan and figure out how much you can save through premium tax credits and subsidies
You can purchase a health plan through the marketplace even if you’re offered insurance by your employer; however, you may not qualify for subsidies if you have access to employer-sponsored coverage.
To buy a policy through the marketplace, you must apply during open enrollment or special enrollment. Open enrollment coverage begins Nov. 1 for the marketplace and runs until Jan. 15 in most states.
Some state exchanges may have slightly different open enrollment periods. If you miss open enrollment, you may qualify for a special enrollment period due to a major life change like moving, getting married, having a child or losing your existing health coverage.
2. A health insurance broker or agent
A health insurance broker or agent can help you navigate the wide range of insurance options and enroll in the best health insurance plan for you. You don’t pay any fees when working with agents or brokers, as they’re paid on commission by insurers.
To find a broker or agent, you can use the federal government’s Find Local Help tool to set up in-person, phone or email appointments. You can also enter your phone number or email address to be contacted by an agent or broker to talk about plan choices. Agents and brokers must be licensed in their states to sell health insurance.
3. Directly from a health insurance company
Some people can find plans that better fit their specific needs or budget by shopping directly with health insurance companies. These plans may meet ACA requirements or you may find a cheaper plan that doesn’t offer as comprehensive coverage that’s found on the ACA marketplace. Purchasing a health plan outside of the marketplace removes the opportunity for premium tax credits or other subsidies that are available through the marketplace.
4. Membership organizations and association health plans
People who don’t have employer-provided health insurance, are self-employed, are unemployed or own small start-ups may still be eligible for a group health insurance plan. These health plans require membership to a professional, trade or membership organization. You can check to see if your organizations offer association health insurance. Association health plans let freelancers, small businesses and self-employed people band together to buy group health insurance at discounted rates.
Be wary of plans provided through some membership organizations that are “health services discount” plans rather than actual health insurance. These plans may save you money on prescriptions but they don’t have broad coverage.
Consumers shopping outside the marketplace should also be cautious of health care-sharing ministries, where individuals of a shared faith contribute money to a health care cost pool distributed by a ministry to pay for certain health-related expenses. This is not health insurance and doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or guarantee reimbursements.
5.Short-term health insurance plans
If you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period or need to purchase health insurance outside of the open enrollment period, a short-term health insurance plan may be available to you. These plans often don’t meet the ACA’s minimum essential coverage requirements or cover pre-existing conditions. These plans are regulated to last up to 364 days with the opportunity to renew a policy twice and are not available in every state.