To enroll in healthcare insurance, you will need to contact the health insurance agency in your state and ask to speak with an agent.
When you’re on the phone with the agent, you can explain that you’re planning to purchase health insurance, but you don’t want to break the bank doing it, so you’re interested in finding an affordable health plan that still meets your family’s needs.
The agent will then go over all of your options with you so that you can find the right plan that meets your needs without costing more than necessary.
The 4 Things You Must Do Before You Sign Up
Before you can shop for a health plan on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace, you must meet certain requirements.
Here are some things to keep in mind: Check your eligibility Find out if you’re eligible to purchase coverage on your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace.
You can compare prices and buy policies only during open enrollment periods.
Keep in mind that even if you’re uninsured, it doesn’t mean you’re ineligible; federal guidelines allow people with pre-existing conditions to enroll year-round.
Confirm residency Confirm that you live in one of the states where HHS is running its own Marketplace or have a partnership with CMS (see map below).
Be aware that while states like California and New York have their own marketplaces, they also accept applications through Healthcare.gov as well.
The 3 Types of Plans to Choose From
Choosing a health care plan can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
In general, there are three main types of plans available: PPOs, HMOs and point-of-service (POS) plans.
While each of these plan types differ slightly in how they work and how much control you have over your care, your best bet is to choose what makes sense for you.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing one plan type over another.
You just need to make sure that it fits with your personal needs and preferences – as well as with your budget! PPOs: Preferred Provider Organizations put you in charge.
What to Look For in a Health Insurance Company
Before you can choose a plan, you’ll have to figure out what kind of coverage fits your needs.
Think about: Cost Dental benefits Mental health coverage Flexible spending accounts for extra medical expenses, like copays and deductibles Co-insurance (the percentage you pay after your deductible) and maximum out-of-pocket expenses (the most you’ll have to pay) during an illness or accident Prescription drug coverage options, if needed And review your prescriptions to make sure any medications are covered by your future plan’s formulary—the list of drugs it covers.
If so, make sure they’re not on a specialty tier that means higher co-pays or deductibles.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
One of your first questions as you begin to think about enrolling in a new health plan will likely be, How much does it cost? The best way to figure out that answer is to get quotes from various plans.
To do that, you’ll have to either go through your employer or start shopping on your own.
Depending on what type of coverage you’re looking for and how old you are, premiums can vary drastically between different carriers.
Before selecting one plan over another, look at deductibles and co-pays as well (and talk with others who’ve enrolled in a specific plan before committing).
You might even want to make a table like below
How Do I Sign Up For Health Insurance?
Here’s how to sign up for health insurance, based on your situation.
If you can afford private coverage, go to healthcare.gov and start applying.
You’ll be able to estimate your subsidy amount—that is, how much help you’ll get paying your premiums—by using a government website called an applicator.
After you submit an application, it may take a few weeks or longer before you hear back with an answer about what kind of coverage (if any) you qualify for.
Where Can I Go To Get Help Signing Up?
When you purchase health insurance through your state’s marketplace, you may be eligible to get in-person help with questions or issues that arise as you shop.
In addition to getting help with enrollment, many states also offer assistance finding healthcare providers and paying premiums.
It’s a good idea to know how to access these services before going through open enrollment.
Use HealthCare.gov’s state-by-state tool to find out what resources are available in your area.
Health Insurance plans
The first step in determining which healthcare plans are best for you is figuring out whether you’re eligible to enroll.
Most people can, even if they have pre-existing conditions. The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easy to learn about your options and find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your costs.
Check out what else can happen once you get covered on HealthCare.gov or try our plan and coverage checker tool to see your options side by side and choose a plan that fits your needs.
Health Insurance Marketplace
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 to extend access to healthcare.
The law makes it easier for Americans to apply for free or low-cost health insurance.
Previously, coverage under group plans were typically given to employees of a company based on hours worked and years of service, but many people were left without benefits because they had been laid off or quit prior to becoming eligible.
Today, nearly all insurers must cover new applicants regardless of their medical history.
The three most popular types of coverage under ACA are: individual plans, family plans and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C).
Individual Health Insurance
In 2014, it’s easier than ever to shop around and find great health insurance options.
What’s important is that you understand how buying insurance works and what kind of coverage you need before you start looking at plans.
In general, all health care plans require a deductible. This is money that you have to pay out-of-pocket before your plan will start paying any medical bills on your behalf (note: these are medical bills; they don’t include premiums).
So in order to figure out what type of coverage to buy, first calculate your expected annual costs and make sure they’re lower than your deductible.
Apply For Free Health Insurance
It’s easy to get your hands on some money and some free health insurance.
You just need to know where to look.
There are two primary ways you can get free healthcare in America: Medicaid and Medicare, which provide benefits for those with low incomes, or veterans’ benefits from groups like The American Legion.
If you qualify for either of these programs, you can qualify for healthcare coverage (i.e., checkups, doctor visits, etc.) that is 100% free.