Page 4 - HFA Dateline 2013 Q4 Winter

Dear Addy: A Resource for the Bleeding Disorders Community o help you and your family understand complicated ad- tvocacy issues like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), “dear Send us an email at: Addy” was created as a resource for the bleeding community each question submitted are real concerns and scenarios from dearaddy@hemophiliafed.org. community members across the country Questions submitted Your name will be changed in the response to this column are edited in order to protect privacy and should be considered educational only, not individual guidance EMploYER-sponsoRED insuRAnCE liFEtiME CAps vs. Dear Addy, AnnuAl CAps I am confused about whether the Healthcare Marketplace is right for me Dear Addy, and my family. We have insurance through my work, but it is not clear if I I know “Obamacare” will eliminate have to use the Marketplace to get coverage starting next year. Who is sup- lifetime caps beginning January 1, posed to use the Marketplace? 2014, but will there still be annual Signed, caps on healthcare costs? Confused by Options Signed, Capped Out Dear Confused by Options, The Marketplace is intended for people who are self-employed, employed by Dear Capped Out, small businesses that do not offer health insurance, and who are otherwise under- Luckily, the answer is no, as of January insured or uninsured. This is not to say that people who have health insurance 1, 2014. Actually, it was on September 23, through their employer can’t use the Marketplace. It all depends on which option, 2010 that the Affordable Care Act (aka, a Marketplace plan or employer provided plan, is the best and most cost-effective “Obamacare”) eliminated lifetime lim- choice for you and your family. Most people who choose to sign up with a Market- its (a cap on the total amount of lifetime place plan will get some help with costs. Other people may qualify for lower costs benefits your insurance company will on their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, or get free or low-cost coverage pay) on most benefits in any health plan from Medicaid or CHIP. or insurance policy issued or renewed on You will need to look at your current plan, its benefits, and its out-of-pocket costs or after September 23, 2010. (premiums, deductible, co-pays, etc.), and compare it to plans available on the On January 1, 2014, ACA also will pro- Marketplace. When making the comparison, some things to consider are whether hibit new plans and existing group plans you can keep your doctor on a Marketplace plan, if and how your medications are from imposing annual dollar limits (a covered,and monthly premiums versus deductible costs. For a list of what to con- cap on the total benefits your insur- sider when comparing plans, see NHF’s Personal Health Insurance Toolkit. You ance company will pay in a year) on the can go online to learn more about Marketplace plans now and view plans starting amount of coverage an individual may October 1. receive. Sincerely, Sincerely, Addy Addy 4 Dateline Federation | Winter 2013