Despite the partial government shutdown, the Health Insurance Marketplace opened to the American public on October 1st, 2013. The Marketplace allows individuals in every state, including Florida, to compare health care rates and apply for coverage that can begin as early as January 1st, 2014.
Who’s the Marketplace For?
According to the US government’s healthcare website (Healthcare.gov), to be eligible for enrollment in Marketplace programs, you must:
- Live in the United States
- Be a US citizen or be lawfully present
- Not be currently incarcerated
Checking out the Marketplace can be beneficial both for those who are uninsured and those who are insured but who are interested in seeing if they qualify for lower monthly premiums.
What’s the Goal of the Marketplace?
The goal of the Marketplace is to help all Americans enroll in a health insurance plan.
If you visit the Marketplace, you will fill out an application that asks about your household size and income. These questions will let those with private insurance know if they’re eligible for lower out of pocket expenses. Those without health insurance will know what plans are available and if they are eligible for free or low cost insurance. The Marketplace sites aim to provide one location where you can compare insurance rates and plans, as well as apply and enroll for health coverage.
All Americans are required to be enrolled in a health insurance plan by the time they file taxes in April of 2014. Otherwise, they will be required to pay a fee that equals 1% of their household income or $95 per person in the household; whichever amount is higher. This fee increases every year.
What Services do these Insurance Plans Guarantee for Women?
The new health care law offers many benefits to women. Under the new law, all health insurance plans are required to provide well woman care without associated co-pays or deductibles. This care includes contraception and preventive health services for women such as:
- Annual well-woman visits
- Prenatal Care
- Counseling for sexually transmitted diseases
- Screening for domestic violence
- Breastfeeding support
The annual well-woman visit includes preventive screenings that vary depending on your age and stage of life. They may include pap smears, mammograms, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The offices of All About Women can provide most of these services for you. If you’re looking for a well woman care provider, consider our compassionate and competent team of doctors and midwives to meet your healthcare needs.
Every state has its own Marketplace website. To check out the Health Insurance Marketplace for Florida, visit the government’s site at: https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=florida.
The open enrollment period ends on March 31st, 2014.
