Campaign Action
Here's the message for day two of open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act: Shop around. That's true for new enrollees but really true for people who already have plans on the marketplaces. That's because in many cases you can get a really great deal. The New York Times has a breakdown of who can get the best deals.
If you qualify for big discounts on deductibles and co-payments, it’s probably best to stick to the cheapest silver plan.
If you earn below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $24,000 for a single person, you can get lower out-of-pocket medical costs because the government pays insurers to give you discounts. […]
If you get premium subsidies but not big discounts, you may be better off with a gold or bronze plan.
If you earn between 200 percent and 400 percent of the poverty level, about $24,000 to $48,000 for a single person, you qualify for help paying your premiums from the federal government.
Because most states are increasing prices on silver plans, which are used to calculate your subsidy, you are likely to have more buying power this year if you want to buy a gold plan, with a lower deductible. In the past, the cheapest gold plans have always cost more than the cheapest silvers.
Those enhanced subsidies also mean that in quite a few markets, you can get a bronze plan for free. You should save what you would be paying in premiums for a potential deductible, but basic coverage (which includes the essential health benefits of preventive care without co-pays) will be available in plenty of places for nothing. In most areas, though, most people will be able to find a plan with financial help that will end up costing $50 to $100 per month.
This is great information for people signing up, but it's also important information for everyone who's spreading the word about open enrollments—fighting Donald Trump's sabotage of the law—to have at hand. Trump has reduced the federal government's outreach to get new people signed up to basically nothing. So we're working with Get America Covered to do the job. If you want to help this part of the resistance, sign up.
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