Open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace, where Pennsylvanians seeking insurance can buy policies, begins Nov. 1.
Although federal lawmakers may consider changes to the Affordable Care Act—often called Obamacare—don’t miss an opportunity to sign up for insurance coverage for 2017, if you currently don’t have it. There will not be any immediate changes and you should take this opportunity to make your health a priority!
A few pointers
If you’ve never applied for health insurance on healthcare.gov, here are a few things you’ll want to know and a quick look at how to apply:
- The Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance exchange, is for people who don’t have plans through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or another source that provides health insurance that meets Affordable Care Act requirements
- The amount you’ll pay for health coverage will depend on your estimated income for the coming year, not what you earned this year or last year
- If you don’t sign up for health insurance, you might have to pay a penalty at tax time
Four ways to apply
You can apply for insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace:
- Online
- By phone
- In person
- By mail
1. Online application
Go to: healthcare.gov/screener. You’ll have to answer a few questions and open an account.
2. Phone application
Open 24/7, the Marketplace Call Center has customer service representatives who can help you complete an application over the phone, review your choices, and enroll you in the coverage you select. Call 1-800-318-2596.
3. In-person application
Hospitals and community health centers in your area may offer in-person application assistance. Check where to go here: localhelp.healthcare.gov/#intro, or call 1-800-318-2596.
4. Mail application
Download a paper application: marketplace.cms.gov/applications-and-forms/marketplace-application-for-family.pdf. Or, call 1-800-318-2596.
Application checklist
When applying for or renewing coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll need to provide information about you and your household, including income and information about any health coverage you have. The Marketplace offers the following checklist to help you have your information ready before you start the application process.
- Information about your household size. Visit: healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/household-size for help figuring out who needs coverage
- Home and mailing addresses for everyone applying for coverage
- Information such as addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers for everyone applying for coverage
- Document information for immigrants. Visit: healthcare.gov/help/immigration-document-types for more information
- Employer and income information for each member of your household, such as pay stubs and W-2 forms. Visit: healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/income/ to learn which types of income to include
- Your best estimate of what your household income will be in 2017. Visit: healthcare.gov/income-and-household-information/how-to-report/ for help estimating your income
- Policy numbers for any health insurance plans covering members of your household
- A completed “Employer Coverage Tool” for every job-based plan for which you or someone in your household is eligible. Applicants must complete this form even for coverage you’re eligible for but don’t enroll in
- Notices from your current plan that include your plan ID, if you have or had health coverage in 2016
- Stay current with marketplace news. Visit healthcare.gov to get email or text updates that will help you get ready to apply or renew
In the end, it’s important to understand what your options are and what your costs will be. A large part of staying healthy is having the ability to access health care.