September 27, 2013

Important Information Concerning Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)

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The federal government approved the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also referred to as ObamaCare. I have opposed this consistently over the years on a State level, and will continue to encourage this law’s repeal. However, since this legislation has passed, I am forwarding the below information in an effort to assist you in maneuvering through this ill thought out and oppressive law.

The Affordable Care Act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2014. However, the enrollment period for Access Health CT, Connecticut’s health insurance exchange marketplace will begin October 1, 2013.

I have included a series of basic questions and answers for your review. For details beyond what is included here, please contact Access Health CT at: http://www.accesshealthct.com or 855-805-4325.

Q1. Under the ACA, will everyone have to enroll in a health insurance plan?
Beginning January 1, 2014, the ACA requires most U.S. residents to maintain a minimum level of health insurance. People exempt from this so-called “individual mandate” are those who (1) have a qualifying religious exemption, (2) are not in the United States lawfully, or (3) are incarcerated.

Q2. What will you have to do if you are currently uninsured?
A person who is currently uninsured will need to enroll in a health insurance plan by January 1, 2014. Access Health CT, Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace (or “exchange”) under the ACA, will begin enrollment October 1, 2013 for coverage effective January 1, 2014.

Q3. What is the basic role of the exchange?
Access Health CT’s basic role is to be an online marketplace where individuals and small employers (i.e., those with 50 or fewer employees) will be able to compare and enroll in health insurance plans. Find them online at http://www.accesshealthct.com/ .

Q4. Will people be penalized for not obtaining health insurance?
In general, people who do not comply with the individual mandate will have to pay a penalty with their taxes. The penalty amount increases overtime and is calculated as the greater of either (1) a percentage of the amount by which household income exceeds the personal exemption for the applicable tax year or (2) a flat dollar amount assessed on each taxpayer and dependent, with a family’s total penalty capped at 300% of the flat dollar amount.

Certain people will not be penalized for their failure to comply with the individual mandate. For example, no penalty will be imposed on:
1. a person whose required premium contribution exceeds 8% of household income
2. a person who goes without insurance for less than 90 days in a year
3. members of Indian tribes whose household income is less than the personal exemption amount for the applicable tax year
4. anyone who the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary determines to have had a hardship obtaining insurance

Q5. Will people with preexisting conditions be able to enroll in health insurance plans as of January 1, 2014?
Yes, for plan years beginning on and after January 1, 2014, health insurance plans may not deny enrollment or specific benefits to anyone because of a preexisting condition. Since September 2010, plans have been prohibited from denying enrollment to children under age 19 because of a preexisting condition.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on this or any legislative issue at 800-842-1423 or email: john.piscopo@housegop.ct.gov.