Insurance Coverage: Medical
Medical insurance coverage is a critical safeguard for individuals and families, providing financial protection against the high costs of healthcare. It ensures access to essential medical services, including preventive care, diagnostics, and treatments, which can improve overall health outcomes and quality of life. By reducing the burden of unexpected medical expenses, insurance helps prevent financial hardship, enabling people to focus on recovery instead of costs. Furthermore, comprehensive coverage promotes timely medical intervention, reducing the risks of complications from untreated conditions. In essence, medical insurance is not just a financial tool but a cornerstone of a healthy, secure, and productive society.
Health Insurance Marketplace
Things to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace
​
-
Open Enrollment is November 1-January 15
-
Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1
-
Enroll by January 15 for coverage that starts February 1
-
​
-
Outside the yearly Open Enrollment, you can get coverage or change plans only if you:
-
Have a life change or income that qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period.
-
Qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can enroll any time of year and coverage can start immediately. Learn more about these programs.
-
​
-
Most people qualify for savings - Depending on your expected household income for the year, you may qualify for:
-
Lower costs for your Marketplace plan, like the premium tax credit that lowers your monthly plan premium, and for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
-
Coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. Your children may qualify for CHIP, even if you don't qualify for Medicaid.
-
​
-
All Marketplace Plans Cover:
-
10 essential health benefits, including prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, laboratory services, and mental health and substance use disorder services.​
-
Free preventive health services at no cost to you when delivered by a doctor or provider in your plan's network.
-
​
-
You can apply for coverage several ways
-
Online​
-
By Phone
-
With the help of someone in your community
-
Through an Agent/Broker
-
Through Certified Enrollment Partner Websites
-
With a Paper Application
-
​
-
Don't forget to pay your monthly premium
-
When you have Marketplace insurance, you will pay your monthly premiums directly to the insurance company - not the Marketplace. Your coverage will not start until you pay your first premium. Additional information regarding your premium is found here.​
-
​
​
​
​