The Health Insurance Marketplace
Information
Do you have health insurance?
If you do, here is information you can pass on to others.
If you do not, the Health Insurance Marketplace has insurance you can afford to help you meet your health needs.
At the Marketplace, you can:
- Compare and shop for health plans you trust.
- Get premium discounts that help you afford your insurance. See "Premium Discounts" below to see if you can get a discount.
- Sign up for a health plan that meets your needs.
You can enroll on your own at HealthCare.gov by following the easy instructions.
Go to localhelp.healthcare.gov to find someone to help you enroll.
You can call the free helpline Toll-Free at 1-800-318-2596 any time night or day. The helpline can point you to people in your community who have been trained to help people enroll.
Many libraries have computers you can use to enroll.
What information do you need to enroll?
For every household member who needs coverage, you need:
- Social Security number
- Income information - including employer for anyone who works
- Current health policy numbers
To help you compare plans, you need to know:
- A premium is the amount you pay each month for your health insuance.
- A deductible is the total amount that you have to pay in a year before the insurance company starts paying.
- A co-pay is the amount that the insurance company does not pay when you get care even though you have paid your deductible. You have to pay this amount.
Premium Discounts
Compare your family's income with the following income ranges:
1 person: $11,490 to $45,960
2 people: $15,510 to $62,040
3 people: $19,530 to $78,120
4 people: $23,550 to $94,200
5 people: $27,570 to $110,280
6 people: $31,590 to $126.360
7 people: $35,610 to $142,440
8 people: $39,630 to $158,520
If your family's income is in the range for its size, you will save money. The amount depends on your family size. It also depends on how much money your family earns. Within the income range for your size family, the lower your income, the more you'll save.
If your income is below the amount for its size, you may qualify for Medicaid.
Alabama has not yet expanded Medicaid coverage, however. You would have to qualify under the old rules.
If you are not eligible for Medicaid and have income below the income range, you'd have to pay the entire cost of a Marketplace insurance plan. This means you might do well to wait to see if Alabama expands Medicaid coverage.
During open enrollment periods, anyone can enroll through the Marketplace.
Between open enrollment periods, you can only enroll if you have had a change in circumstances that gives you a special enrollment period. These changes include:
- Marriage
- Birth of a child
- Loss of insurance
Reviewed April 2014
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