ACA Medicare

Do you have health insurance? More New Jerseyans than ever before do. Over a two year period since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened the federal insurance marketplace and expanded Medicaid, the uninsured population has decreased by nearly half across the state.

Despite this progress, there are still too many without coverage, and if you are one of them, the time to act is approaching. The Affordable Care Act’s Open Enrollment Period is from November 1 through January 31, 2016.

We are all just one accident or unexpected diagnosis away from needing health insurance. For generations, access to quality, affordable care was out of reach. But now there is no longer any reason to live without the health care you and your family need, and the financial uncertainty of being unprotected. Join the millions who have signed up. They know firsthand the peace of mind that comes with having an insurance card in your wallet - cancer screenings, hip replacements, and vaccinations are no longer out of reach. A trip to the emergency room can be replaced with a trip to the doctor.

It is not hard to understand why so many have signed up. In 2015, more than 7 in 10 individuals who signed up qualified for a tax credit, so that their plan cost $100 per month or less.

If you don’t have coverage, or would like to find out how to get covered - visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to learn about the plans in your area, to see what financial assistance is available and to get covered. You can also find in-person assistance in your community at localhelp.healthcare.gov. If you are 65 or older, you may already qualify for Medicare. Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs. More information can be found at     1-800-MEDICARE or  Medicare.gov.

And if you signed up for Marketplace coverage last year, it’s worth your while to come back and see what new choices are available to you and your family. With more plans to choose from this year, there’s more competition. That means you may find a plan that saves you more money, offers more services, or includes more doctors.

November 1 ^st is just around the corner, and the time to take action is now. Next year, if you do not have coverage, you can also expect to pay a higher penalty than in the past – 2.5 percent of your annual income or $695 per adult, whichever is higher. To get coverage effective January 1, a plan must be selected by December 15 ^th.

Don’t delay, visit www.HealthCare.gov today!