This blog attempts to assist those who are NOT Medicare but are attempting to pick an insurance. Each state has its own “Marketplace” which is a one-stop shopping source for purchasing health insurance. You are a good candidate to try Maryland’s Marketplace website called Maryland Health Connection if:
- You need health coverage
- You need health coverage and you’re interested in finding out whether you are eligible for help with paying for your coverage through Medicaid, Maryland Children’s Health Program or through a QHP
- Your employer doesn’t insure you or doesn’t offer affordable coverage. Employer coverage is considered affordable if the employee’s share of the annual premium for self-only coverage is no greater than 9.5% of annual household income.
- The coverage offered by your employer doesn’t meet some basic standards, known as providing “minimum value.” Employer coverage provides “minimum value” if it covers 60 percent of health care costs on average. Your employer should be able to tell you if your plan meets this standard.
- You’re self-employed
- You’ve been denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition
- You’re insured but looking for cost savings
PLEASE NOTE: Open Enrollment to buy or change plans for 2016 is Nov 1st to Jan 31st. But, you must enroll by Dec 15th to have coverage that starts January 1.
Consider these four things when shopping for a plan:
- Cost: There may be a plan that better meets your budget and health needs for 2016.
- Providers: The doctors and hospitals in your plan may have changed. Visit your insurance company’s website or https://providersearch.crisphealth.org/ to make sure your doctor and other health care providers are covered.
- Benefits: Ask your insurance company or check your plan’s 2016 benefit booklet, which includes a description of benefits and the costs you pay when you use services, such as copayments and deductibles.
- Drugs: Ask your insurance company or check your plan’s 2016 formulary, which includes a list of covered prescription drugs.
Important refrences and details are at https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/
Another great reference describing the process is below:
NCQA: Selecting An Insurance Plan Through Health Insurance Exchange Marketplaces – See more at: http://www.ncqa.org/Consumers/MarketplaceInfographic.aspx#sthash.BScnVo7O.dpuf