Pre-Existing Conditions
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can’t charge women more than men. These rules went into effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.
What This Means for You
Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either. Once you have insurance, they can’t refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition. Learn more about coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Grandfathered Health Plan
As used in connection with the Affordable Care Act: A group health plan that was created—or an individual health insurance policy that was purchased—on or before March 23, 2010. Grandfathered plans are exempted from many changes required under the Affordable Care Act. Plans or policies may lose their “grandfathered” status if they make certain significant changes that reduce benefits or increase costs to consumers. A health plan must disclose in its plan materials whether it considers itself to be a grandfathered plan and must also advise consumers how to contact the U.S. Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with questions. (Note: If you are in a group health plan, the date you joined may not reflect the date the plan was created. New employees and new family members may be added to grandfathered group plans after March 23, 2010).
Health Insurance Exemptions For 2018
The individual mandate was repealed in 2019. Meaning, that Americans without health coverage in 2019 will not be subject to a tax penalty. However, up until Monday, anyone without health insurance in 2018 would still have to pay upcome tax season. The new CMS rules, titled in true Trump fashion, “Final 2019 Payment Notice Rule To Increase Access To Affordable Health Plans For Americans Suffering From High Obamacare Premiums,” could potentially save you from paying a tax penalty this year. The new rule provides exemptions to residents living in counties where no health insurance companies offer coverage, or only one insurer offers coverage. The rule also states that those living in counties where the only available health insurance plans cover abortion can also be exempt from a tax penalty for 2018 if it goes against their religious beliefs.
When Will My Coverage Start If I Sign Up During the Next Open Enrollment?
Plan changes made between November 1, 2022, to December 15 2022 will take effect on January 1, 2023.
Types of Coverage
Bronze Plans
Bronze plans tend to have the lowest premiums of all Metal Plans. That is because they only have to provide 60% of cost-sharing on average. Bronze plans provide an average cost-sharing value (known as Actuarial Value AV) of 60%. This means that a Bronze plan must cover an average of 60% of all plan enrollees’ covered out-of-pocket costs. This does not mean that 60% of actual costs will be covered for any one given person. A small minority of policyholders will account for the majority of costs. So actuarial value should always be looked at as a sign of how good a plan’s cost sharing is, not as a literal amount. Literal cost-sharing amounts can be found on a plan’s benefit sheet.
Silver Plans
Silver Plans are the marketplace standard plan. The second-lowest-cost Silver plan in a state is used as the benchmark plan when determining subsidies. Silver plans provide an average cost-sharing value (known as Actuarial Value AV) of 70%. This means that a Silver plan must cover an average of 70% of all plan enrollees’ covered out-of-pocket costs (based on a standard population). This does not mean that 70% of actual costs will be covered for any one given person. A small minority of policyholders will account for the majority of costs. So actuarial value should always be looked at as a sign of how good a plan’s cost sharing is, not as a literal amount.
Gold Plans
Gold plans provide an average cost-sharing value (known as Actuarial Value AV) of 80%. This means that a Silver plan must cover an average of 80% of all plan enrollees covered out-of-pocket costs. This does not mean that 80% of actual costs will be covered for any one given person. A small minority of policyholders will account for the majority of costs. So actuarial value should always be looked at as a sign of how good a plan’s cost sharing is, not as a literal amount. In some states Gold plans must meet additional criteria, making the cost-sharing offered on these plans even more attractive.
Platinum Plans
Platinum plans are designed to cover 90% of out-of-pocket costs on average. This is known as having an Actuarial Value of 90%. This means for a standard population the plan will on average cover 90% of all out-of-pocket costs for essential health benefits. This is not the exact amount of cost-sharing your plan will provide you.
Given the generous cost sharing, platinum plans have the highest premiums on average. Not all insurers offer Platinum plans on the Marketplace. Different states may have different rules for what these plans must offer beyond the minimum standards in the ACA.
Catastrophic Health Plans
Catastrophic health plans generally have low premiums, high deductibles, and high cost-sharing amounts. Catastrophic plans typically won’t pay any out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance. Deductibles on catastrophic plans will tend to be equal to out-of-pocket maximums, this essentially means coinsurance and deductibles will never factor into what you pay. Often this means you pay a premium simply to get the same deals on the care your insurer gets and to know you’ll never pay more than your out-of-pocket maximum in an emergency.
