Confusion Persists as October 1 Approaches
Less than two weeks to go before the new government-created insurance “marketplaces” open, and here at iCan we are busy answering questions from people concerned about how the Affordable Care Act will affect them and their families.
In all honesty, we are surprised at some of the questions we are receiving. We fully expected to get phone calls from people curious about federal subsidies, interested in the new exchanges, or worried about the individual penalty . . . and we are getting plenty of calls like that. But we are also receiving a high number of calls that confusion over the ACA runs deeper than we ever expected.
In just the past two days, we have received calls from members looking to terminate their coverage under the following mistaken beliefs:
“The New Plans Start October 1”
There has been so much publicity around the date of October 1, 2013 that many people are under the impression this is when the new “Obamacare” plans start. That’s not the case – the plan years for those plans don’t begin until January 1, 2014 (though you can enroll this fall for a plan that begins on that date).
“Due to my income I’ll be automatically enrolled in one of the new plans”
A surprising number of people believe that these new plans will function like a traditional government entitlement, such as Social Security. They are often surprised when we tell them there is an application process that must be followed to qualify for a subsidy.
“The Obamacare plans are free”
Again, there are a great number of people calling our offices who are under the impression that the new plans offered on the Exchanges are akin to Social Security or Medicare – and that they will provide a guaranteed set of benefits at no cost to consumers.
The truth is that the new ACA plans offered on the Exchanges will be offset by premium subsidies for some – but not all – Americans. Those plans will begin coverage on January 1, 2014. And to enroll, you have to complete the government’s application for assistance.
Here at iCan, we want to be your trusted source of information on health insurance. We want to help you select the coverage that best meets the needs of you and your family, at a price you can afford. Call us today and let us help you plan your health care future.
