After several law amendments, the United States federal government no longer penalizes you if you don't have health insurance. However, that's no excuse to leave you and your family unprotected in case of a health emergency. For Massachusetts citizens interested in purchasing a new government-sponsored plan, here's what you need to know about your Affordable Care Act options.
Simplified Decision-Making
Thanks to the Massachusetts Health Insurance Marketplace, you can compare different ACA plans through one online medium. To use the Marketplace, provide your zip code in the indicated box. Then, enter your gender, date of birth, address, and medical history into the form so that the algorithm can find the best options for you. Now, you're ready to start exploring the different plans.
Plans Designed for Your Family
When it comes to health insurance, you want to find the plan that works best for your family, not for a generic group of people. Before you start searching for a new plan, think about the number of people in your family and whether they all need coverage. For example, does your spouse or one of your children have insurance through his or her job? Then, think about the number of preexisting conditions your family has. These include asthma, diabetes, heart issues, and cancer. It is illegal for a health insurance company to turn down your application because of your preexisting conditions, but your premiums may be higher if you have more health liabilities.
Plenty of Options
Finding a plan through the ACA's approved companies doesn't mean that you need to sacrifice your options or quality of care. The program includes Obamacare providers such as Anthem, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthOne, Aetna, Humana, and Cigna. You can also choose from health maintenance organization options such as Tufts, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross, Blue Shield. If you have room in your budget for a preferred provider organization, your options include Molina Healthcare, AmeriHealth, and Kaiser Permanente.
Unaffiliated Information
Sometimes, it's hard to find reliable information about health insurance because all the people who write about it are trying to sell you their policies. One benefit of the Massachusetts Health Insurance Marketplace is that it's not directly connected to any private health insurance companies. It's also not run by Massachusetts' or the federal government. Despite this lack of affiliation with health insurance companies, you don't need to stress about entering your health information into the website; it is secure and confidential.
Fast Sign-Ups Available
Having health insurance is a lifetime commitment, not a one-time decision. After all, you never know what health crises could be waiting around the corner. However, if you urgently need healthcare, the Massachusetts Health Insurance Marketplace features providers that offer approval quickly. Most of them deliver quotes at no charge, so you can make a decision that works for your family without draining your budget for the month. Because the enrollment forms are online, you can efficiently compare different HMO and PPO plans until you find the coverage that works best for your family's unique situation.
Peace of Mind
It's stressful not to have health insurance coverage. As annoying as it is to pay premiums every month, they come in handy when you need to have surgery, visit the emergency room, or receive allergy treatments. Once you've found the perfect plan through the online forum, you can enjoy your next vacation or other adventure without worrying about potential hospital bills.
If you're stepping into the world of health insurance for the first time or the first time in a while, don't panic. Use the Massachusetts Health Insurance Marketplace to find a good plan, and enjoy all your healthcare benefits.
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