Do You Need Help Enrolling in a Health Insurance Plan? WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
I n March of 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, became law. While many supported the idea of better healthcare access and cheaper costs, the law significantly increased government regulation of health insurance companies, result- ing in fewer health insurance providers and increased premiums for consumers. Many individuals were forced to change doctors and could no longer afford their plan. The good news is AMAC Senior Resources Network is here to help you navigate the marketplace and help you review your current plan. The Open Enrollment Period for 2024 ACA Marketplace coverage began on November 1 and is in full swing. It’s the time of year when you can compare and enroll in various major medical or ACA-compliant health insurance plans or make changes to your current plan. If you do not have health coverage through work, Medicare, or Medicaid, this is your opportunity to sign up for 2024 health
coverage. And since it’s the only time of year you can change or enroll in a plan, you won’t want to miss it! The Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1 through January 15. However, in most states, if you enroll by midnight December 15, your coverage will take effect January 1. Enrollments completed after December 15 but before the January 15 deadline will have coverage effective February 1. (Enrollment periods may also vary by state. Call us for state-specific information.) If you miss Open Enroll- ment, you can only sign up for ACA-com- pliant individual and family health insurance (or switch to a different plan) if you experience a qualifying life event that triggers a special enrollment period. Whether enrolling in coverage for the first time or renewing your coverage during Open Enrollment, it is import- ant to shop around. While all plans are comprehensive and cover doctors’ visits, prescriptions, emergency services, and hospitalizations, every plan is different, and their features change yearly.
While shopping, you may also want to explore plans that are not regulated by the ACA. Short-term medical insurance plans, for example, are not required to follow ACA guidelines and operate under state regulations. And although these plans do not offer as much cover- age as major medical plans, in certain circumstances (like missing the Open Enrollment deadline), they may be your best bet. Choosing and purchasing health insur- ance is an important undertaking that deserves careful consideration. AMAC Senior Resources Network is here to answer your questions, help you shop for plans, and assist you in weighing your options so you can select the plan that fits your needs and budget. Don’t wait until the last minute to call us at 800-741-2407. Alex Lewis Alex Lewis has been a leader in AMAC’s Health Insurance call center since 2018 and is proud to provide health insurance solutions to AMAC’s two million members each day.
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52 • AMAC Magazine
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