Enrollment is now open at Healthcare.gov and for many of us it brings back flashbacks of last year when it was incredibly hard to sort through the marketplace and find an affordable coverage for ourselves and the family.
Kim VanPelt from St. Luke's Hospital has given us some questions and answers that will help sort through some of the confusion.
Q: When can you sign up for Marketplace health insurance? What are the deadlines?
A: Open enrollment for Marketplace health insurance is underway now. Open enrollment is the time each year when you can sign up for, or re-enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance for yourself and your family.
Many Arizonans are eligible for financial assistance that will save them money on their monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Marketplace insurance covers essentials such as emergency care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and pregnancy and newborn care.
You can go online at Healthcare.gov to shop for the health plan that best fits your medical needs and pocketbook. Once you find a plan that suits you, you can also enroll on Healthcare.gov.
The best time to sign up is by Dec. 15, 2015. That way your coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2016.
However, the final deadline for getting coverage in 2016 is Jan. 31, 2016.
If you don't enroll by January 31, you can't enroll in a health insurance plan for 2016 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Q: Is there anything different or easier about signing up this year?
A: Yes. The shopping and enrollment process is much easier and more consumer-friendly this year.
New features were added to HealthCare.gov based on consumer feedback about previous experiences with the site -- and the type of additional information consumers want in order to pick the right plan.
When returning consumers come back to HealthCare.gov, they'll be able to easily find their current plan if it's available again for next year.
They can also easily compare their plan with other available plans in their area – to see if they can save money by switching plans, as many consumers do.
A new Out of Pocket Cost feature has been added to the website this year that will help consumers better estimate the cost of their health insurance based on their own personal situation.
The new feature has been added to the Window Shopping tool and provides consumers with an opportunity to get an estimate of what their premiums, deductibles, and co-pays may be for each specific plan prior to enrolling.
In the coming weeks, two additional features will be launched – the new Doctor Lookup feature and the Prescription Drug Lookup feature.
These features will provide consumers with easily searchable information about which doctors and prescriptions different plans may cover as they shop and enroll in coverage.
Q: What are the biggest changes to Marketplace insurance that people in Arizona need to know about?
A: One major Arizona insurer, Meritus, won't be offering plans for 2016.
Anyone who currently is enrolled with Meritus will have full coverage through the end of this year. But after Dec. 31, 2015, that coverage will end.
So it's very important for anyone with Meritus coverage to shop around and sign up for a different health plan for next year.
You should do that no later than Dec. 15, 2015, so your new coverage kicks in on Jan. 1, 2016. That way you won't experience any gap in your health insurance.
Q: What are the tax penalties for not having health insurance?
A: The law requires all Americans to have health insurance or to pay a penalty.
Having insurance means that you and your family are protected against potentially huge medical costs. It also means that doctors and other health care providers get paid for their services.
And it means that insurance premiums for all of us won't go up because there are so many uninsured people in the system.
The penalties for not having health insurance will rise next year.
If you don't have credible coverage, you'll be required to pay the higher of 2.5 percent of your household income, or $695 for each uninsured adult and $347.50 for each uninsured child under 18 in your household.
Penalties will be capped at $2,085. Any penalty will have to be paid with your 2017 taxes.
It's important to keep in mind that with federal subsidies to keep costs affordable, 7 Americans in each 10 will be able to find a plan that costs $75 or less per month.
Q: What level of subsidies are available to Arizonans who want to purchase health insurance through Healthcare.gov?
A: Most of the 154,000 Arizonans with Marketplace insurance got a subsidy for their 2015 coverage.
And it's easy to find out if you qualify for savings on your monthly premiums or other out-of-pocket costs.
Just go to Healthcare.gov and enter the number of people in your household and the state that you live in.
Depending on your estimated household income and size, you'll be shown whether you qualify for savings.
You'll also find out if you're eligible for Arizona's expanded Medicaid program -- known as AHCCCS.
And remember, most people will qualify for savings – nationwide, 7 people out of 10 will be able to find a plan that costs $75 or less per month.
Q: What if someone needs help picking a plan or enrolling in a plan?
A: There's plenty of help available.
Your local insurance broker may be able to assist you. Or you can make an appointment for free, face-to-face counseling from a local application assister. You can find the nearest certified assister at the Cover Arizona website. Just go to coveraz.org.
What if you don't have a computer?
Many public libraries have publicly accessible computers. Or you can call the Marketplace consumer hotline, toll-free, at 1-800-318-2596. That number again is: 1-800-318-2596. A customer service representative can answer your questions or help you apply for health insurance over the phone.
