The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government that helps people, families, and small businesses compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability. It is also known as the Marketplace or exchange. The Health Insurance Marketplace provides health plan shopping and enrollment services through websites, call centers, and in-person help. It is available online at HealthCare.gov, and some states run their own Marketplaces with their own websites. The Marketplace is a place where consumers in the United States can purchase ACA-compliant individual/family health insurance plans and receive income-based subsidies to make coverage and care more affordable.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | To help people, families, and small businesses shop for and enroll in health insurance |
Operation | Run by the federal government or the state government |
Availability | Available online, via telephone, and in-person |
Enrollment | Compare plans, enroll or change plans, find out about tax credits and other savings, and get answers to questions |
Affordability | Premium and cost-sharing subsidies based on income are available to make coverage affordable |
Coverage | Covers essential health benefits, including prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, laboratory services, and mental health and substance use disorder services |
Eligibility | Open to individuals, families, and small businesses who need to buy health insurance on their own |
What You'll Learn
- The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal service that helps people shop for and enrol in health insurance
- The Marketplace provides health plan shopping and enrolment services through websites, call centres, and in-person help
- Small businesses can use the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace to provide health insurance for their employees
- The Marketplace offers premium tax credits and other savings that make insurance more affordable
- Individuals and families can shop for coverage if they need to buy health insurance on their own
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal service that helps people shop for and enrol in health insurance
The Marketplace is available online and can also be accessed via telephone. It provides health plan shopping and enrolment services through websites, call centres, and in-person assistance. Small businesses can use the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace to provide health insurance for their employees.
The Health Insurance Marketplace was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. It offers comprehensive coverage and is the only type of health insurance that provides premium tax credits to reduce costs for those who qualify. The ACA set up the marketplace, also called the exchanges, allowing people to compare health plans offered by private health insurance companies and find plans available in their area.
There are two types of health insurance marketplaces: the federal marketplace and state-run marketplaces. Most states use the federal marketplace, while some states, such as California, New York, and Colorado, have their own state-run marketplaces. State-run marketplaces may have different website layouts, but they provide information about available plans and allow individuals to enter their income and family size to determine their eligibility for subsidies.
The Health Insurance Marketplace helps individuals and families shop for coverage if they need to purchase health insurance on their own. It offers premium and cost-sharing subsidies based on income to make coverage more affordable. People can also find out if they are eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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The Marketplace provides health plan shopping and enrolment services through websites, call centres, and in-person help
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government that helps people, families, and small businesses compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability. It is also known as the "Marketplace" or "exchange". The Marketplace provides health plan shopping and enrolment services through websites, call centres, and in-person help.
The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace for most states, and it is available online at HealthCare.gov. This site serves as the enrolment platform and runs the customer service call centre for most states. However, some states, such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, and Maine, run their own marketplaces with unique state names and platforms.
Through the Marketplace, individuals and families can shop for coverage if they need to buy health insurance on their own. The Marketplace offers a choice of different health plans and provides information and assistance to help consumers understand their options and apply for coverage. It also offers premium and cost-sharing subsidies based on income to make coverage more affordable.
Small businesses can also benefit from the Marketplace by using the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) to provide health insurance for their employees. The Marketplace is designed to be a one-stop shop for health insurance needs, providing convenient access to information, comparisons, and enrolment services through its website, call centres, and in-person assistance.
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Small businesses can use the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace to provide health insurance for their employees
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government that helps people, families, and small businesses compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability. The Health Insurance Marketplace is available online at HealthCare.gov, and some states run their own marketplaces.
SHOP insurance gives small businesses the choice and flexibility to:
- Offer their employees one plan or let them choose from multiple options
- Offer only health coverage, only dental coverage, or both
- Choose how much they pay toward their employees' premiums and whether to offer coverage to their dependents
- Decide how long new employees must wait before enrolling
There is no limited enrollment period for the SHOP Marketplace, and small businesses can shop for a new plan any time of the year. If a business enrolls in a plan by the 15th of each month, coverage can usually begin on the 1st of the following month.
Small businesses can enroll in SHOP insurance through an insurance company or with the assistance of a SHOP-registered agent or broker.
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The Marketplace offers premium tax credits and other savings that make insurance more affordable
The Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Health Insurance Exchange, is a service run by the federal government that helps people, families, and small businesses compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability. The Marketplace is available online at HealthCare.gov, and can also be contacted by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If an individual's income changes, or they add or lose members of their household, their premium tax credit will probably change too. It is important to report income and household changes to the Marketplace as soon as possible. If an individual's income goes up or they lose a member of their household, they will probably qualify for a lower premium tax credit. They may want to reduce the amount of tax credit they take in advance each month so that they do not wind up taking more credits than they qualify for. If an individual's income goes down or they gain a household member, they will probably qualify for a bigger premium tax credit. They may want to increase the amount of tax credit they take in advance so that they have a lower premium bill each month.
In addition to premium tax credits, the Marketplace also offers cost-sharing reductions. Cost-sharing reductions are only available on Silver plans. This reduction can help lower an individual's out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Premium tax credits are available to U.S. citizens and lawfully present immigrants who purchase coverage in the Marketplace and who have income at least as high as 100% of the federal poverty level. Premium tax credits are also available to lawfully residing immigrants with incomes below 100% of the poverty line who are not eligible for Medicaid because of their immigration status. To be eligible for the premium tax credits, individuals must not be eligible for public coverage, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicare, or military coverage, and must not have access to health insurance through an employer.
The Marketplace was created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, which is colloquially known as Obamacare. The ACA set up the marketplace, also called the exchanges, which lets people compare health plans offered by private health insurance companies. The health insurance marketplace is an easy way for people to find health insurance plans available in their area.
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Individuals and families can shop for coverage if they need to buy health insurance on their own
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government that helps individuals and families shop for and enrol in health insurance. It was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to provide a platform for individuals and families to compare and purchase health insurance plans. The Marketplace is available online at HealthCare.gov, and over the telephone.
The Marketplace is particularly useful for those who need to buy health insurance on their own, perhaps because they are self-employed, or their employer does not offer health insurance as an employee benefit.
The Marketplace offers a range of plans and potential subsidies based on income level. It is a good resource for those seeking personalized coverage and flexibility. It is also a good option for those who want to tailor their coverage to their specific health needs and lifestyles, ensuring they are only paying for what they need.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is also a good option for those who want control over which doctors and healthcare facilities are included in their plan.
There is an annual Open Enrollment Period during which individuals can buy health insurance on the marketplace or change plans. This usually runs from November 1 to December 15, with coverage starting from January 1. Outside of this period, a Special Enrollment Period is required to enrol in a plan or change to a different plan. This is triggered by a qualifying life event, such as losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child.
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Frequently asked questions
A health insurance marketplace is a service that helps people shop for and enrol in health insurance.
With the exception of people who are enrolled in Medicare coverage, virtually all Americans are eligible to use the health insurance marketplace.
All marketplace plans cover 10 essential health benefits, including prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, laboratory services, and mental health and substance use disorder services.
When you have marketplace insurance, you'll pay your monthly premiums directly to the insurance company — not to the marketplace.
You can apply for coverage in several ways: with the help of someone in your community, through an agent/broker, through certified enrolment partner websites, or with a paper application.