Countdown to Coverage
By Kathleen Sebelius,
Posted September 23, 2013
Today we’ve reached yet another milestone on the road to affordable health care: 100 days to coverage.
For years, millions of Americans have been denied the security and peace of mind of having health insurance. Too many have been priced out, locked out, or dumped out by insurance companies.
But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all of that is changing. January 1, 2014 — 100 days from today –marks a new day, when coverage will be more accessible and affordable. On that day, coverage will begin for those who signed up for a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace by December 15, 2013.
The Marketplace is a new, simpler way to purchase health insurance –all in one place. You can go online or call to find and compare options, see if you qualify for lower costs, and select coverage that meets your needs and budget.
Here’s what else is happening on January 1:
- Health insurance plans cannot refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition, such as diabetes or asthma.
- More people will qualify for Medicaid.
- Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to impose annual dollar limits on coverage for essential health benefits.
- Being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition, and insurance companies cannot charge women more than men for the same coverage.
- The small business tax credit expands.
Of course, the new year is not the only important date coming up. October 1, 2013, marks the beginning of an extensive six-month-long open enrollment and public education campaign. You can enroll through the end of March.
Many will enroll online at www.HealthCare.gov. For some, it will be easier to enroll by phone (1-800-318-2596; TTY: 1-855-889-4325) or by mail. To make the process even easier, we have trained local assisters to help answer all of your coverage questions.
Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues that new options for affordable, quality health coverage are in sight.
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Beginning October 1, the Health Insurance Marketplace will make it easy for Iowans to compare qualified health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they are eligible for lower costs for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in health coverage.
By the Numbers: Uninsured Iowans who are eligible for coverage through the Marketplace.
– 255,072 (10%) are uninsured and eligible
– 197,021 (77%) have a full-time worker in the family
– 108,372 (42%) are 19-34 years old
– 211,630 (83%) are White
– 13,555 (5%) are African American
– 18,936 (7%) are Latino/Hispanic
– 5,181 (2%) are Asian American or Pacific Islander
– 138,070 (54%) are male
– 234,099 (92%) of Iowa’s uninsured and eligible population may qualify for lower costs on coverage in the Marketplace, including through Medicaid.
Iowa has received $42,221,578 in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of its Health Insurance Marketplace.
Master of Disaster !
Kathleen Sebelius should be ashamed of herself. Because she refused to stand behind allowing the little girls lung transplant and if not for her mother pressing on, her daughter would be dead. Yes you count those days Kathleen for the Obamination Healthcare, I don’t know how you sleep at night.
Sounds like a gift, doesn’t it?……..Iowa has received $42,221,578 in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of its Health Insurance Marketplace.
WE BORROW FROM China and we get a grant. Whoopie ding! Our kids don’t have a chance, the money they will owe. Shame on some of us.
@Anna-what people just can not get through their heads is a grant is NOT free money. Somewhere, somehow the taxpayer must pay for “FREE GRANTS”. It is just like all of the Vision Iowa money that was wasted on the Park Inn. It was NOT free money.
When it comes time to vote, don’t forget that if it wasn’t for Max Weaver’s Plan B, the Vision Iowa project never would have happened.
@Anonymous-I remember that very well. The whole thing was defeated and then he changed on us and the whole thing went through. He is still better than Bookie.
So if the IRS is in charge – what $3900.00 per year fine for not having health insurance -plus 5%per month penalty – won’t be long before they take you car/home/dog. Was a reason the IRS was given control of this monster.