Are you wondering how the Affordable Care Act will be implemented, when you enroll, and how it will affect you and your family? We have answers!
How is the Affordable Care Act going to be implemented in California?
As an individual or employer, you’ve likely heard that President Obama’s health care reform, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), is set to take effect as of January 1, 2014.
What you may not know is that the state of California will be managing the Affordable Care Act through its own health care plans. These plans are known as the Exchange, or Marketplace, health care plans.
When do I enroll in the California PPACA health care plans?
The time to enroll or open enrollment for Marketplace, or Exchange, health plans will begin on October 1, 2013 and will end on March 31, 2014. You must participate in this open enroll in order for coverage to begin January 1, 2014.
Who is eligible for individual and family care plans, and what options are available?
There will be certain criteria for the individual and family standardized plans. Many will benefit from government financial assistance if their family, or individual income, falls into certain income levels.
The Exchanges, or Marketplaces, health care plans will have a rating system grouping plans by cost and value. These plans will be offered at four basic levels:
- Platinum
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
The higher the “metal value”, the more expensive the monthly premium; however, you will have a lower annual out-of-pocket cost. CoveredCA.com has a lot of useful information regarding these levels, including a premium calculator.
We will explore more aspects of the PPACA in upcoming “Wellness Wednesdays” so please join us.