Seniors and the Affordable Care Act: What You Need to Know

Are you a senior or older adult with questions about how the Affordable Care Act may affect you?

The Affordable Care Act requires everyone to have health insurance coverage. If you are already enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or if you have employer-based health insurance, you already have coverage and don’t have to make any changes. If you are not currently enrolled in any of these programs and you don’t have health insurance, you will need to obtain coverage or pay a penalty.

You can purchase insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, and depending on your income you may qualify for assistance to pay your monthly premium. Premium assistance is only available to those not eligible for Medicaid who purchase health insurance through the Marketplace.

There are four ways to apply for Marketplace coverage:

1. Paper Application. You can fill out a paper application and mail it in. You will receive an eligibility notice by mail. The paper application is available at healthcare.gov
2. Apply Online. While the Marketplace website experienced technical issues when first launched, you can now apply online in four steps. Visit healthcare.gov to get started.
3. Apply by Phone. To apply by phone, call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). A customer service representative will work with you to complete the application and enrollment process.
4. Find in-person help. In all states, there are people trained and certified to help you review your coverage options and enroll in a Marketplace plan. Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find help in your area. Additionally, Decades can provide in-person help to clients and their families.

Three important dates to keep in mind are January 1, 2014: All individuals are required to have health insurance by this date, December 23: The deadline to file an application for coverage starting in January and March 31, 2014: Marketplace open enrollment ends.

If you have more questions about what the Affordable Care Act means for you, Decades can help. Our team offers free consultations so you can learn about the services that we offer, including medical advocacy and care management.