There are many different issues that people will need to consider when it comes to acquiring health insurance. In the past, affordability was the only issue that needed to be considered if a person wasn’t offered health insurance through their employer. However, because the healthcare landscape has changed so dramatically in the past few years, buying Health Insurance is far more completed than simply determining if health insurance is affordable.
Plans
With the implementation of the ACA, qualified health plans sold on the health care marketplace are one option. Major medical plans are often sold off-market, however. They are quite detailed and sometimes, quite expensive. However, these plans meet all the requirement for personal health insurance required by the ACA.
There are also catastrophe plans. These plans will meet the criteria set by the ACA for mandatory insurance coverage. However, they are only available off-market, they are only for individuals under the age of 30, and they cannot be purchased with insurance subsidies proved for lower income people via the Affordable Care Act.
Enrollment
A person looking for Health Insurance will also need to know when they can enroll in an insurance plan. Typically, enrollment for insurance starts in November and ends in February. When a person experiences a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child, they get married or they lose coverage, this initiates a special enrollment period that allows them to enroll in a different plan. There are also temporary plans that will only be good until the next enrollment period rolls around that can be purchased off-market.
Starting Dates
Lastly, know the details of when the health insurance a person buys starts. During the enrollment period, it is always suggested that each individual or family sign up for a plan before the 15th of the month. That way, the plan will go into effect the first day of the next month. If a person signs up for a plan after the 15th, they may have to wait until the first day of the month following the next before their plan is available to use.
With so many questions regarding health plans in the marketplace and outside of the market, it is always best to speak with an insurance expert at They will help you get the right plan at the right price and help you understand all the nuances of insurance for healthcare.
