Open enrollment for 2018 ACA health insurance ends Dec. 15
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has not been repealed. Individuals are still required to comply with the ACA and are still entitled to its benefits.
The Affordable Care Act requires individuals to enroll in a health insurance plan unless they qualify for an exemption from the law. Individuals must report whether they have coverage or whether they are exempt when they file taxes in April.
Open enrollment for 2018 health insurance runs through Dec. 15. To get coverage beginning Jan. 1, individuals must enroll by the end of the business day on Friday, Dec. 15.
If individuals are currently uninsured, they can use the state marketplace to compare plans and enroll in a plan that meets their needs.
If an individual already has health insurance, they will be automatically re-enrolled in their existing plan if it is still available. Even if an individual can continue in the plan they have now, open enrollment provides an opportunity to review coverage, compare plans and switch to a new one if they find a better option.
Tax credits are still available to save individuals money.
Many people who sign up for insurance at the Ohio exchange will be eligible for cost savings. For 2018 health insurance plans, savings are available in the form of tax credits to help individuals lower their premiums.
In addition, if an individual’s income is very low, they may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid in Ohio.
What individuals pay for an Affordable Care Act plan depends on the level of coverage they choose, whether they qualify for a subsidy, where they live in Ohio, their age and whether they smoke.
On Oct. 12 the Trump administration ended subsidies for insurers called "cost-sharing reductions." These payments to insurance companies allowed them to reduce deductibles and co-payments for Americans with incomes between 100 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
In the long run this decision could destabilize the Affordable Care Act's insurance marketplaces. For 2018 coverage, however, many people's pocketbooks may escape direct effects because HealthCare.gov tax credits will increase to cover the damages.
If individuals do not qualify for tax credits through HealthCare.gov, they may get a better deal by purchasing an insurance plan directly from an insurance company. Individuals can compare the costs of plans available to them through HealthCare.gov to those available directly from insurers in the area.
An insurance agent or broker may be the best bet for sorting out options.
This year it may be more difficult to find enrollment help. The Trump administration has drastically cut funding for the programs that provide enrollment help. But that doesn't mean individuals have to fend for themselves.
To sign up for a health plan under the Affordable Care Act, individuals can go directly to the online health insurance marketplace for Ohio at www.healthcare.gov.