Shop Around for Health Plans to Get the Best Coverage
Shop around
The third Open Enrollment period for Marketplace health coverage began on November 1, 2015 and runs through January 31, 2016. Did you or someone you know have health coverage through Healthcare.gov or your state's Marketplace for coverage in 2015? If so, now is the time to compare plan options for next year! Choosing the right health plan is especially important for people living with HIV.
The HRSA-supported ACE TA Center shares key messages to help people stay covered and maintain financial assistance below. The ACE TA Center works with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grant recipients and subrecipients to help diverse clients get enrolled in health coverage.
Shopping around for plans not only helps you find the right coverage for 2016 - it could also save you money.
If you were enrolled in a 2015 health plan via the Marketplace, your plan will be automatically renewed for 2016 if the plan is still available. In most cases, if you do nothing, your insurer will re-enroll you in the same plan for 2016.
You should take an active role in the plan renewal process by logging into the Marketplace during Open Enrollment to update your application and compare plans. You might find a more affordable plan that better meets your health needs. Logging into the Marketplace and updating your financial information also helps make sure you get the right amount of financial assistance for 2016.
How to choose the best health plan to meet your needs.
First, consider if your medications or other health needs have changed since last year.Next, look at plan options to compare plan costs and features. A new plan may be more affordable or may be a better fit in terms of coverage for needed medications, services, and providers than a current plan.You can get in-person assistance to help you choose a plan. Contact your local Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to get assistance from a case manager or a referral to other enrollment assistance.
How to make sure you're getting the right amount of financial help.
Each year, the Marketplace checks your eligibility for coverage and recalculates how much financial assistance you can receive. The Marketplace uses your most recent income information on file (either 2014 taxes or 2015 application information) to come up with the level of financial assistance.
Check your mail for notices from the Marketplace and your insurance company sent prior to November 1st. These notices contain important information about your plan, your financial assistance, and the amount of your new premium.Log onto Healthcare.gov to update your Marketplace application information and verify it is correct.
Is your organization helping to enroll people living with HIV in health coverage?
Register for the ACE TA Center webinar on November 18 to learn more about engagement and enrollment in diverse communities.
Visit targethiv.org/ace for more tools and resources to help people living with HIV get covered, stay covered, and use the thier benefits of health insurance.
By the ACE TA Center