(Photo courtesy of healthcare.gov)
If you do not already have health insurance, you have less than a week to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Keep in mind these key points about Obamacare in Wisconsin:
1.) You are legally required to have health insurance, unless you qualify for an exemption.
The Affordable Care Act requires you to enroll in a health insurance plan unless you qualify for an exemption from the law. You must report whether you have coverage — or whether you are exempt — when you file your taxes in April. To learn whether your current health plan satisfies the requirements of Obamacare or to find out whether you qualify for an exemption, see Do I Need to Get Obamacare in Wisconsin? (https://www.legalconsumer.com/obamacare/topic.php?TopicID=5&ST=WI)
2.) Open enrollment for 2017 health insurance plans runs until Jan. 31.
For 2017 health plans, open enrollment runs through January 31. During that time, residents of Wisconsin may use the website HealthCare.gov to choose their health insurance plan, apply for cost-saving subsidies, and get other help they need.
If you are currently uninsured, you can use the state marketplace to compare plans and enroll in a plan that meets your needs.
If you already have health insurance, you will be automatically re-enrolled in your existing plan if it is still available. Even if you can continue in the plan you have now, however, open enrollment provides an opportunity to review your coverage, compare plans, and switch to a new one if you find a better option.
To learn more about enrollment, see How Do I Sign Up for Obamacare in Wisconsin?
3.) You may qualify for subsidies that will save you money.
Many people who sign up for insurance at the Wisconsin exchange will be eligible for cost savings. Savings are available in the form of tax credits to help you lower your premiums or reduce your out-of-pocket costs for care.
If your income is very low, you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid in Wisconsin.
For more information, see Ways to Save Money on Obamacare in Wisconsin.
For an overview of how much health care plans cost under Obamacare, see How Much Does Obamacare Cost in Wisconsin?
4.) New “Simple Choice” plans may help you afford care in 2017.
For 2017, HealthCare.gov will be offering a new type of standardized health plan, called “Simple Choice.” These plans offer a basic set of features to make it easier for you to compare plans, and they may help you lower your health care costs next year. Standardized features for each type of plan — bronze, silver, and gold — include the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, co-pays for doctor, and more.
For example, while silver plans may still carry a high deductible, you will only pay $30 for a doctor visit, $65 to see a specialist, and $15 to get a generic prescription — even if you haven’t met the deductible for the plan. Though many plan options will be standardized, premiums for Simple Choice plans will vary.
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