It’s almost time for the annual open enrollment period for the affordable care act (ACA) also known as “Obamacare”. Open enrollment for health insurance through the market this year runs from November 1st, 2017 to December 15th, 2017. This is a shorter enrollment period than before, so please make sure you plan accordingly. Plans sold through open enrollment will begin January 1st, 2018. Open enrollment period is meant for anyone who is interested in receiving coverage for the marketplace. You can enroll with ACA coverage at other periods throughout the year depending on if you had a life event (death, birth, change of jobs, significant life changes).
Dates You Should Avoid
There has been a lot of talk over the shuttering of the official website during the enrollment period. Try to avoid enrolling in ACA benefits any Sunday, as every Sunday except December 10th there will be “planned maintenance” for 12 hours (Midnight until Noon), leaving the website down. We know this can be inconvenient, but if you try to schedule your enrollment before a Sunday, you’ll have a better chance of not being frustrated.
Why Enroll?
There are a few reasons why you should enroll. Not only should everyone have access to affordable health insurance, but there are some other benefits you might not be thinking of.
- You will not be charged an individual mandate which amounts to the greater of 2.5% of your income or $695 per adult (with a maximum of $2,085).
- While there’s been lots of chatter about removing or replacing the ACA, nothing has been done and it will still be some time before anyone can agree on how to best change or replace the ACA.
- If you don’t currently have health insurance, you can take advantage of a lot of the benefits that health insurance has to offer. Health insurance does cover chiropractic care, so if you were considering seeing a chiropractor, keep in mind a health insurance plan will at least partially cover these visits. There are also a slew of other things covered by health insurance, including prescriptions and zero co-pay birth control, which can be beneficial to many people.
Should I bother renewing my plan if there’s a chance it can get repealed?
Yes. When you sign up, you enter into a contract with the insurer which means that they cannot remove your health insurance, regardless of whether or not the ACA is repealed. If you’re afraid you’re going to lose coverage, make sure you take action during open enrollment to sign up as your benefits will be good through the duration of 2018. In short, you want to sign up while they’re still available, as no one will know how available insurance plans will be to the general public if things such as the pre-existing condition removal are reversed.
I’m looking at a plan, but I still want to visit Progressive Spine & Rehab Center. What insurers do you accept?
We accept a variety of the top and common health insurance providers.
Anthem BCBS
Aetna
Cigna
Community Health Options
Harvard Pilgrim
Medicare
Medicaid –AmBetter, Wellsense
Minuteman
Tufts
Personal Injury Claims
Workers Compensation
Auto Accident
Where do I sign up?
You can follow this link which goes to HealthCare.gov. You can also call 1-800-318-2596 to get verbal assistance in your enrollment.
Need help?
We have a financial advisor you can use! Contact Caitlin Demet of Northeast Planning Associates, Inc in Bedford, NH for help with your insurance enrollment and needs specific to you.