FierceHealthPayer reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the opening of the health insurance marketplace mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Exchange enrollment process has begun for individuals and for small businesses who want to try out the new site.
The ACA requires states to set up exchanges or marketplaces where consumers and businesses can shop for reasonably priced health insurance plans that meet the minimum requirements of the law. So far, only sixteen (16) states have taken on that responsibility. The other thirty-four (34) states’ exchanges will be included in the site being developed by HHS.
Take a look when you get a chance. There will not be actual insurance plans up for offer until October 1, 2013, but in the meantime, you can visit the site and read some of the available information and enroll if you like. If you work for an employer who does not provide health insurance and live in one of those 34 states with no exchanges of their own, this is where you will go to shop for coverage. If you are an employer with fewer than fifty (50) employees who is not required by ACA to provide health insurance, there is a section here for you as well. The site is far from complete, but there is already lots of useful information.
Do you already have affordable health insurance? Will you be using the Exchanges to locate coverage for yourself or your business? I certainly will be comparing plans, their coverage and their cost, with our current insurance once the exchange is open!
