Affordable Care Act Enrollment And Plan Changes
We want to make sure everyone is aware of both the Affordable Care Act Enrollment And Plan Changes. Affordable Care Act plans (Also called Obama Care) are those purchased through the Connecticut Exchange via the Access Health Website. A premium subsidy is only available to those who enroll through the Access health site. Anthem , Connecticare and Healthy Partners are the three insurance companies available through the exchange. People that enrolled outside of the exchange are not eligible for any type of premium help. For those that did enroll via the exchange there rules regarding new enrollments and plan changes for existing members.
New Enrollments–
The general period for someone to register and enroll in a plan through the Access Health site ended on March 31, 2014. The site does not accept new enrollments for the remainder of the year. A new enrollment window will open in October of 2014. This will allow new members to apply for a January 1, 2015 start date.
Special Election Period–
Additionally, some people are allowed to enroll in a plan outside of the enrollment period. This is true if they have a special election reason to do so. Special elections reasons include, losing group health insurance or an individual health plan during the year, moving to a different state, a change in Medicaid or Husky status and losing COBRA benefits.
Plan Change for existing members–
In fact, Existing members are not allowed to make a plan change outside of the normal enrollment period. This is true, unless they qualify for one of the special election periods above. A doctor who decides to no longer accept or participate with a Affordable Care Act plan during the year is not a valid reason to make a plan change.
Crowe and Associates is here to help you. Call us if you have any questions about health insurance. Please contact us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at Edward@croweandassociates.com.