Last month eHealthInsurance published a survey showing that two-thirds (69%) of small employers did not understand basic tax provisions and coverage requirements in the Affordable Care Act (Health reform). And, three out of four (77%) said they were not making any long-term plans, based on what’s in the law.
It’s not hard to guess why so many people still are not aware of what’s in the law. Some folks were likely hoping it (and the president) would go away, while others were likely hoping for the opposite. In either case, the election is over and it’s time to accept reality: “Obamacare” is the law, the law is Obamacare, and you need to start preparing for 2014 when the major provisions of the law go into effect.
A number of small but important changes have already occurred, including:
- Adult children can stay on a parent’s health plan until age 26
- Children under age 19 cannot be declined coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions
- Improved preventive and women’s health care coverage with no out of pocket costs
- No lifetime coverage caps for most covered medical services
- Special tax breaks are available for small businesses offering health insurance
New changes in the pipeline for 2014 include:
- The mandate, requiring most people without coverage to buy it for themselves.
- Subsidies to help people buy insurance if they earn less than 400% of the federal poverty level.
- People who buy their own insurance (not from an employer) can’t have their application declined because they have a pre-existing condition.
- Employers with fifty or more full-time employees will be required to provide coverage or face penalties if their employees buy subsidized insurance through an exchange.
What should the uninsured do today?
If you’re uninsured today, don’t wait until 2014 to get coverage. There are plenty of quality options available right now. “Obamacare” does not make health insurance free, it doesn’t excuse people from paying their medical bills, and it doesn’t enroll you automatically if you become ill.
If you’re uninsured today, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and family:
- Don’t procrastinate. It can only hurt you – You’re not required to buy coverage on your own until 2014, but going without coverage today can put you at serious financial risk in case of unexpected illness and injury. Buying health insurance now protects you from injury and gets you a jump on the individual mandate.
- Health insurance is better now than it used to be. Look back at the first section of this post. A number of changes to the individual health insurance market have already been implemented, which improve the health insurance plans you can buy today. Most offer better preventive and women’s health care coverage, and eliminate lifetime coverage limits for most services.
- It’s easy to compare plans and buy online. State exchanges may not be live yet, but private health insurance exchanges like eHealthInsurance have been around years, and they’re not going anywhere. For an idea of what’s out there, visit eHealthInsurance.com to review quotes from insurers in your area, compare plans side by side, and apply for coverage online.
