ACA Enrollment
November 17, 2014
ACA Enrollment
With enrollment in the Affordable Care Act currently in full swing, we asked Michal Goforth and the team at the Pima Community Access Program some basic questions about the program. PCAP has worked with Cover Arizona, Enroll America and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make sure it has the answers you need.
Q-Surveys show a large portion of uninsured people plan to enroll this year but the same surveys show most don't know when enrollment begins; when can people begin to enroll?
Open Enrollment begins November 15th through February 15th. If they wish for coverage to begin on January 1st they must enroll and pay their premium by December 15th.
Q-Do people go to a website? If so, what is that website?
Yes, they can open an account and enroll or renew at www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
Q-Are there other ways to get enrollment help?
Yes, there are local Navigators and Certified Application Counselors that are able to assist. You can find a link at www.coveraz.org to locate one close to you.
Q-Can they help explain how insurance works?
Yes, they are CMS certified and licensed as Navigator or CACs through the Arizona Department of Insurance.
Q-What kind of records are needed when applying?
You need to bring with you your projected income and proof of identification. If additional documents are required, the Marketplace will notify you at the e-mail or by mail that you provide.
Q-Talk radio says the insurance premiums are really, really high. Is that true for Tucson?
There is good news, Arizona has more issuers this year and in some cases the premiums are lower with only a few increasing.
Q-I don't make a lot of money and heard Arizona expanded AHCCCS. How would they find out if I qualify?
If you would like to go on line www.healthearizonaplus.gov or if they are unsure the can also go to www.healthcare.gov. There are local assistors than can help with both healthearizonaplus.gov and healthcare.gov.
Q-"Premium support" and "premium subsidies" are commonly used words. How does this work?
If you apply on www.healthcare.gov you may be eligible for financial subsidies to lower your monthly premium or out of pocket expenses. There is a calculator on Enroll America http://www.enrollamerica.org/
Also, you can enter your basic information to get a quote on what your possible financial subsidies may be.
Q-Anything else I should know?
1. Financial help may be available.
2. Local application help is available.
3. Quality Health Plans are available.
You can go to www.healthcare.gov to: review, update, compare, choose, and enroll.