Most people get health insurance through work. Otherwise you can use government insurance “exchanges” or “marketplaces”. Employers that provide insurance pay a portion of workers’ premiums. Plans in the marketplace usually cost more, but for those self-employed or looking for more options/personalized plans the extra costs might be necessary or worth it.

There’s also Medicaid (a government program with low-income and state specific requirements), Medicare (a Federal health insurance program for people 65+, some younger people with disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease) and Cobra (an act allowing you to temporarily keep health coverage after your employment ends).

Looking for your own plan? Explore your state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, if available, or the federal marketplace to find the lowest premiums. Visit HealthCare.gov and enter your ZIP code. You’ll be sent to your state’s exchange if your state is green on the map below. Otherwise, you’ll use the federal marketplace. 

 

Important things and dates to remember:

Open Enrollment Period:  The yearly period when people can enroll in a health insurance plan. Open Enrollment for 2019 runs from November 1, 2018 to December 15, 2018. Outside the Open EnrollmentPeriod, you generally can enroll in a health insurance plan ONLY if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This does not apply if you are adding onto an employer’s already established group plan during other times throughout the year because of a new job.

 

Healthcare Plan Types: (see chart below with additional information)

PPO – “Preferred Provider Organization offers more provider options and no required referrals

HMO – “Health Maintenance Organization” is a lower out-of-pocket option with a primary doctor coordinating all of your care and referrals.

EPO – “Exclusive Provider Organization” offers lower out-of-pocket costs and no required referrals.

POS – “Point of Service” Plan offers more provider options, a primary doctor that coordinates most of your care, and you do need referrals to go out of network.

 

What’s NOT covered by most health insurance plans:

travel vaccines

acupuncture & other alternative therapies

cosmetic or weight loss surgery

nursing home care/caregiving Costs

dental & vision & hearing

preventative care & tests

all medications

long tern care

end of life planning

 

Consider also joining Amazing Care Network. We fill some of the “coverage gap”. Plan for a smarter tomorrow with our flexible long term care, covering everything from caregiving to emergencies to illness. Check out our enrollment options HERE.