HealthCare.gov blog

Published onSeptember 18, 2013

Alejandra’s story: College students need coverage too!

Alejandra and her big sister Mayra share their storyAlejandra and her big sister Mayra share their story
Have you met Alejandra?
Alejandra is an ambitious student with big dreams.
She is looking forward to college and has plans to become a health professional – just like her big sister Mayra. And like millions of young adults across the country, Alejandra does not have health insurance.

Making ends meet. Trying to make something of herself.

Alejandra’s sister Mayra explained:

Published onSeptember 17, 2013

Calculating your costs and savings in the Health Insurance Marketplace

Calculate your optionsCalculate your options

When you fill out your Health Insurance Marketplace application, you'll find out what plans and premiums are available to you and see how much you will save.
Most people who apply will qualify for lower costs of some kind.

What you can do before Open Enrollment

Open enrollment begins in less than two weeks. Specific prices for Marketplace plans will be available starting October 1.
In the meantime, here are some steps you can take that will help you estimate your costs and savings:
If you have questions about getting covered in the Health Insurance Marketplace, contact us at 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.

Published onSeptember 16, 2013

How to get help with your Marketplace application

Find Local Help: Get personal help applying for health coverage.Find Local Help: Get personal help applying for health coverage.
There’s a new way to get help with your application for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace®.
Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find help in your area. You can search by city and state or ZIP code to see a list of local organizations with contact information, office hours, and types of help offered, such as non-English language support, Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).

Published onSeptember 9, 2013

3 ways to get covered if you’re under 30

What am I supposed to do after I turn 26 and can no longer be covered under my parents' planWhat am I supposed to do after I turn 26 and can no longer be covered under my parents' plan
Sooner or later, everyone needs health insurance. This is true even if you’re healthy and under 30 like Jaime and Malik.
The Health Insurance Marketplace® provides you with several options that put you in control of your coverage and care.
  1. If you’re under 26, you may be able to get covered on a parent’s health insurance plan. This applies to you even if you are at school, not living at home, eligible for an employer’s plan, or not financially dependent on your parents. It even applies to you if you are married.

Published onAugust 30, 2013

Malik’s story: I’m young and I need health insurance

Have you met Malik?
Malik is a 23 year old bartender and server who works in the restaurant industry.
He works on his feet all day and like millions of Americans, Malik does not have health insurance because he can’t afford it.

Can’t afford insurance. Can’t afford to miss work.

Published onAugust 27, 2013

4 ways the Health Insurance Marketplace® keeps you healthy

You and your family may be eligible for free screenings, vaccines, counseling, and other preventive services to keep you healthy.
All health plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace® and many other plans must cover the preventive services below without charging you a
copayment
or
coinsurance
. This applies even if you haven’t met your yearly
deductible
.
  1. Preventive care for all adults: 15 preventive services
  2. Preventive care for women: 22 preventive services
  3. Preventive care for children: 25 preventive services
  4. Medicare preventive care: 23 preventive services

Published onAugust 23, 2013

Howard’s story: I can’t get health insurance

Have you met Howard?
Howard is a self-employed software designer who needs health insurance.
He designs health care software and like millions of Americans, Howard has been denied health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Uninsurable until 2014

Howard shared his story with us: