getting health insurance on the cheap courtesy of obamacare
DESCRIPTION
This power point presentation should be helpful for anyone considering purchasing health insurance as required by the new healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act. The individual mandate goes into effect January, 1, 2013.TRANSCRIPT
"Getting Health Insurance on the Cheap Courtesy of
ObamaCare"
In Just 39 Short Bullet Points!
Copyright 2013 Global Health Options, Inc. DBA Riczo & Co. and Steve Riczo
The Making of…The Affordable Care
Act or ObamaCare became law in March, 2010
ObamaCare survived a tumultuous political environment and US Supreme Court ruling - see Riczo USA Today Magazine article (right)
Concern of Young Adults
While young adults have concerns about an insurance mandate, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll of 18 – 30 year olds say 75% believe having insurance is something they need and important to have
Making the Most of It
• Whether you love the new law, hate it
or somewhere in between - it is the law the land - use it to help you, your family & friends
The 3 Big Provisions in the New Law
#1 - Requires Americans with no health insurance to get it and helps them to do so (or pay penalty the IRS)
#2 - Aims to help moderate
healthcare costs
#3 - Eliminates discrimination
against Americans who have pre-existing medical conditions
The Facts about America's Uninsured:
Fact 1 - 50% of American adults have one or more chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer or diabetes - ie, "Pre-Existing Condition"
Fact 2 - 50 million
Americans go part or all of the year without health insurance
Facts about America’s Uninsured (cont)
Fact 3 - 45,000 Americans die every year because they don't have health insurance (Source: Harvard University Medical School)
Facts about America’s Uninsured (cont)
Fact 4 - 80% of America's uninsured have at least one member of the household who is employed
Fact 5 – More than 65%
of America's small businesses do not offer health insurance because it is too expensive
What Does ObamaCare Do about this Problem?
Two Solutions in New Law to Help the Uninsured
Solution #1:
Individual Mandate Requires Americans to Have Health Insurance on January 1, 2014 or pay penalty to IRS
Solving the Problem (cont)
Solution #2:
Many states are expanding Medicaid eligibility (health insurance for low income Americans)
Solution # 1 cont (Exchanges)
New Online Marketplaces or Exchanges opened in every state in the US on October 1, 2013
Health insurance companies
will be offering multiple health plans from relatively cheap to expensive – Catastrophic (under age 30), Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
Not to Worry - every
health plan must meet the federally mandated minimum benefit package (ie, cover hospitalization, doctor visits, emergency room, labor and delivery, etc.)
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
Middle income Americans should consider an inexpensive plan to keep it affordable - 50% selected lowest price health insurance in Massachusetts healthcare reform
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
Rule #1 in buying health insurance - be sure you can afford the monthly premiums so the policy does not get cancelled
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)Individuals and
families with earnings between 100% - 250% of federal poverty level: Buy Silver Plan to get maximum federal subsidies
100% to 250% of federal poverty level
# of People Household Income 1 $11,490 - $28,725 2 $15,510 - $38,775 3 $19,530 - $48,825 4 $23,550 - $58,875 5 $27,570 - $68,925 6 $31,590 - $78,975 7 $35,610 - $89,025 8 $39,630 - $99,075
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
If you have a chronic illness, buy the best health plan that you are certain you can afford
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
Take advantage of the new federal subsidies if your household income is between 100% - 400% of the federal poverty level
For individuals in 2013, that means annual income between $11,590 and $46,000!!!
Solution #1 cont (Exchanges)
Low cost plans still have the federally mandated minimum benefit package but higher copayments and deductibles
If you have financial hardship,
you stand a reasonable chance to negotiate down your hospital & doctor bills that insurance does not cover under high deductible plan
Option #2 cont (Medicaid)
Enroll in Medicaid if you qualify
Determine if your state has expanded eligibility requirements under ObamaCare
Option #2 cont (Medicaid)
You may already qualify even if the state does not have the expanded eligibility so do not be afraid to try!
Option #2 cont (Medicaid)
States Approving Expanded Medicaid Eligibility
ArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaii
IllinoisIowaKentuckyMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNevadaNew Jersey
New MexicoNew York North DakotaOhioOregonRhode IslandVermontWashingtonWest Virginia
Option #2 cont (Medicaid)
How do I apply for Medicaid?
Apply for insurance
coverage on new online Marketplace – Healthcare.Gov
You will be notified if you are Medicaid eligible and next steps
Most Importantly
Remember: Medical care is Expensive so Get Your Health Insurance!!!(and it’s the law on Jan 1, 2014!)
But what if I already have health insurance?
If you are lucky enough to already have health insurance, help a friend or relative who does not
You might be saving a life. But how????
Share what you have
learned here!!!
Need a little help getting health insurance?
Need help with getting health insurance
Use the "Contact Us" Link at
StevesHealthcare.com – no cost to you – as licensed insurance agent, our fees are paid by insurers
StevesHealthcare.com
http://www.steveshealthcare.com/
Steve Riczo has 30 years of healthcare management experience, is certified by federal government on new health insurance Marketplace, taught healthcare management at the University of Akron, is a regular contributing author to USA Today magazine on healthcare system issues and is the CEO of Riczo & Co.