Tips for Choosing a Health Care Plan Under the Affordable Care Act

As part of the Affordable Care Act, there are new coverage options available to you and your family for health care if you are uninsured and don’t have insurance options through your employer, Medicaid, or Medicare.

While the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the online exchange, will open for 2015 enrollment on November 15, 2014, it’s never too early to start thinking about new health care plan options.

If you happened to miss the 2014 open enrollment deadline on March 31^st, you can still buy a Marketplace health plan if you qualify for a special enrollment period following certain life events like getting married or having a baby.

If you have questions about health care and the Affordable Care Act, TurboTax Health is a free resource available to help answer your questions, get information on your healthcare options, and understand if you qualify for money-saving subsidies from the government that can help lower your monthly health insurance premium.

As you start to sift through potential insurance plan options, here is an overview of common terms you may see related to the Affordable Care Act and purchasing health insurance in the Marketplace:

• Subsidy or Premium Tax Credit: The amount that the government contributes to help pay for your health insurance.  Under the Affordable Care Act, this subsidy, also know as the premium assistance tax credit, will help people who can’t afford it pay for health insurance.

•  Tax Penalty: Under the Affordable Care Act, anyone who was not enrolled in health insurance by March 31, 2014 will receive a tax penalty, except for those who are exempt.  There is no penalty for a single gap in coverage of less than 3 months.

•  Monthly premiums: The amount paid for your health insurance for a set time period (like monthly payments or annual payments).

• Plan category: All plans in the Marketplace are separated into five categories, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Catastrophic which are based on the cost you are responsible for.

• Out-of-pocket costs: Any expenses for medical care that aren’t paid for by your insurance plan.

• Benefits: All plans sold through the Marketplace offer the same essential health benefits, cover pre-existing conditions, and offer free preventive services.

• Insurance plan types and provider networks: Some plans allow you to see almost any doctor or visit any healthcare facility; others limit your choices to a network of doctors and facilities or require you to pay more out-of-pocket should you choose to use providers outside the network.

Overall, when choosing a health insurance plan you want to think about balancing how you much you will pay each month through a monthly premium with how much health care you think you and your family will need throughout the year.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you review potential health insurance plans so you can pick the best one for you and your family during the open enrollment season:

• Decide which type of plan best meets your needs and budget.

• Check that your primary doctors and specialists are included in the health care provider’s network.

• Understand how medical prescriptions are covered.

As with all tax laws, TurboTax is up-to-date with the latest tax law changes.  If you have more questions about the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts you and your taxes, you can get answers from TurboTax Health.