By Adam Stalker, Get Covered America
I know, I know: No one likes going to the doctor or talking about their health.
But like it or not, most of us will need medical care at some point in our lifetimes. Without health insurance, those bills can really add up. But now there are new options, a new way to shop, and for many, a new way to pay for it.
I’m healthy, so I never need to go to the doctor. Why should I buy health insurance?
That’s a great question. Even if you don’t plan on having car problems today, you probably have car insurance. You might even have insurance for your house or phone. You protect things that are important to you, and your health should be no different.
Even if you’re healthy now, health insurance protects you and your family from the unexpected: an accident, an illness, whatever life throws at you.
You’ll also have access to free preventive care to help keep you healthy and help catch issues early — before they can become more serious. Preventive care includes things like checkups, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, vaccines, and more.
Health insurance is too expensive. What do I do?
For the first time in history, you can get help paying for health insurance. So far, almost 9 out of 10 Americans who got covered got help paying for their insurance.
You might be able to get financial help, and some may even qualify for free/low cost coverage through Medicaid. This calculator lets you see an estimate of how much you might pay per month.
What will Obamacare cover?
No matter what plan you pick, it has to cover all the important stuff. Here are just a few:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency services
- Prescription coverage
- Mental health services
- Annual checkups
- Infant and children’s care
- Free preventive care
I should also mention that there’s a great new rule in place: You can no longer be turned down or charged more for having a pre-existing condition. That’s a pretty big deal.
What happens if I don’t sign up?
Many people will face a fine of $325/person or 2% of your income (whichever is more) if they don’t sign up by February 15, 2015. And the fine goes up every year. That’s no bueno.
I’m so confused. How do I sign up? How do I pick a plan?
I know, I get it. It can feel like information overload. There are folks in your area who can answer all your questions and get you through the application (and their help is available free of charge). Just click here and make an appointment. Or if you’re more of a “do it yourself” type, click here to go to an online marketplace.
