What is Obamacare?
“Obamacare” is the nickname for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, also referred to as “ACA”, signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.
The goal of Obamacare is to help more Americans obtain health insurance, by providing financial assistance for middle to low-income individuals and families, for those who qualify.
What is the Marketplace?
The Marketplace is the online exchange where private health insurance carriers offer their Obamacare (ACA) plans for the consumer to compare and choose the plan that is best for them. The amount of Tax credits can be computed as well, and applications/enrollment can be done on the Marketplace. We are able to connect directly to the Marketplace and can help streamline that process for you, saving time and preventing errors.
Why Obamacare? The Advantages of Obamacare (ACA)
- PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS ARE COVERED, meaning no one can be refused insurance due to any pre-existing condition they may have.
- YOUR SPENDING IS CAPPED, meaning that for the insured person or family, there is always a maximum out-of-pocket amount, and once that cap has been reached through copayments or coinsurance, the insurance company will pay all the rest of the costs, no matter how great.
FINANCIAL HELP. The Federal government will help pay premiums by means of “Premium Tax Credits”, the amount of which are determined by age, location, and estimated household income. This help makes premiums very low and for many people, $0 per month
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible, one must reside in the United States, and either be a US citizen, or someone lawfully present in the US, including green-card holders and holders of various visas, including work visas. We can help you understand which visas are eligible.
When Can I Enroll?
There are two open enrollment periods where anyone eligible can apply.
- Nov 1-Dec 15 each year for coverage to start the following Jan 1
- Dec 16-Jan 15 for coverage to start Feb 1.
Additionally there are Special Enrollment Periods throughout the year for those who qualify.
- If your estimated household income is below 150% of Federal poverty level, you have a Special Enrollment period, and you can apply ANY TIME OF YEAR.
For 2023 those figures are:
| Family Size | 150% of federal poverty level |
| 1 | $21,870 |
| 2 | $29,580 |
| 3 | $37,290 |
| 4 | $45,000 |
| 5 | $52,710 |
| 6 | $60,420 |
- Other Special enrollment periods are due to a LIFE EVENT, such as:
- Getting married or divorced
- Having or adopting a child
- Gaining new immigration status
- Losing coverage through work
- Death in the immediate family
There is a 60- day window to apply in these cases.
We can help you determine if you have a valid enrollment period to apply.
How Do I Apply?
- You can go online at Healthcare.gov, make an account and shop for a plan from there. It can be confusing and frustrating to navigate.
- The better option is to call us, the Healthcare Enrollment Center at (417) 683-1035, or email us at care.cornerstoneagency@gmail.com or text us at (417) 457-3001. Our help is always FREE.
