Minnesota ACA Plans Least Expensive in U.S.
September 27, 2013 By Amy De Vore+
Minnesota has the lowest average monthly premiums in the entire U.S. for plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Minnesota Plans
The new Affordable Care Act plans are known as the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. These new plans offer two types of subsidies to help keep costs down for those who qualify:
Minnesota ACA Rates
Plans in Minnesota can be very inexpensive. Below are averages (without subsidies) based on a 40 year old, non-smoker, in one region:
As these represent average, contact 800-930-7956 to get your specific quote.
Off-Exchange Plans for Minnesota
By now, most people have heard of the Exchange plans (those are the metal plans listed above), but most people don’t realize that they have the option to purchase a plan off the Exchange. What is that, you may be asking. Well, let me explain, if you think or know you qualify for subsidies go with an Exchange plan, but if you are positive that you make too much money to qualify (more than $45,960 for an individual) you can save a lot of time and hassle by purchasing identical plans off the Exchange or you might find plans with more benefits, if your provider so chooses.
Options for Purchasing On or Off Exchange Plans
There are a few options: through the navigators at the state Exchanges or purchase through an agent. Why would you choose to do one or the other? Well, many people don’t realize that agents are available to them at no extra cost, and that’s one of the reasons the feds decided to include navigators in the Affordable Care Act. But here’s the real difference: Navigators are not allowed to give you their opinion on a plan or guide you one way or another, whereas agents are able to suggest and breakdown the plans for you.
To contact an agent for help with the on or off-Exchange plans call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.
How the Affordable Care Act Helps the Uninsured
May 31, 2013 By Amy De Vore+
The Affordable Care Act helps the uninsured in a few ways. For instance, in the LA Times today there was an article about a woman making $12.68 an hour, mother of one child, lives in Los Angeles, and recently choose to forego surgery because she was uninsured. As of January 1st this woman would have options for health coverage.
How the Affordable Care Act Helps Uninsured
She isn’t qualified for Medicaid, however since she works she may qualify for job-based insurance as 2015. Until then and if her employer doesn’t offer insurance she would qualify for premium subsidies and cost-sharing subsidies, and her daughter would qualify for Medi-Cal.
Costs for Lower-Income Families
The article doesn’t state how old she is, but if she is 30, her Silver plan premium could be as low as $93 a month and her deductible would be reduced from $2000 to $500, and a reduced maximum out of pocket from $6,350 to $2,250. This would apply to any single parent to one child living in the Los Angeles area, making her salary.
How do Lower-Income Families and Individuals Get Insurance?
First, it’s important to remember for anyone purchasing a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace you need your W2 paperwork and financial information handy like child support, alimony, assets. Then you can either go directly through your state’s newly established call center’s navigators or you can go through your insurance agent. Many don’t realize that agents can help with on and off-Exchange plans.
Lower Income Seniors
Seniors do not have to do anything as of January 1st. Seniors stay on Medicare and do not apply for the new metal plans. Make sure your friends and parents are aware that there is nothing for them to do, because states are vocally expressing their concerns about seniors being tricked by scammers into giving away personal information due to the lack of awareness in regards to the ACA.
To learn if you qualify for a subsidy call 800-930-7956 or contact Medicoverage.
