New federal health insurance options will be available online beginning Oct. 1, to help U.S. residents get the mandatory health insurance required by 2014 under the Affordable Care Act.
United Way of Tarrant County is handling the Health Insurance Marketplace for county residents.
The marketplace allows people to purchase health insurance and compare health plan options. One application can be completed for multiple health plans, according to www.healthcare.gov, the federal government's website devoted to the program.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report says Texans will have a choice of about 54 qualified plans.
Who is eligible?
Individuals and families and businesses with 100 employees or fewer can purchase health insurance through the marketplace, according to www.healthcare.gov. Eligible applicants must:
- Live in areas within the U.S. that offer Health Insurance Marketplace services
- Be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present in the U.S.
- Not be incarcerated
- Exceptions are made for those with financial hardships, religious objections, qualifying Indian tribes and others
The number of eligible uninsured residents of Tarrant County is estimated at 341,149, according to a statement from United Way of Tarrant County. The organization was awarded a $5.8 million grant to act as a "navigator" for uninsured Texans, to teach them about the options and help them enroll.
Key dates
- Oct. 1—Open enrollment begins
- Jan. 1, 2014—Health insurance coverage begins for those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2013. Coverage begins based on one's date of enrollment.
- March 31, 2014—Open enrollment closes
Marketplace insurance coverage includes essential health benefits such as ambulatory services, hospitalization, surgery, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs and preventive and wellness services.
Insurance plans are divided into four categories—Bronze, Gold, Silver, Platinum—based on income and can include dental coverage.
The HHS report says a 27-year-old in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who makes $25,000 a year will pay $74 a month for the lowest-cost bronze plan. For a family of four making $50,000 annually, the lowest-cost bronze plan would be $57 a month.
Prices of plans will be available Oct. 1, according to www.healthcare.gov. The site also includes details about eligibility.
How to apply
- Visit www.healthcare.gov
- Call 1-800-318-2596
- In person—at United Way of Tarrant County, 1500 N. Main St., Fort Worth; 817-258-8188; www.unitedwaytarrant.org. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- An option to apply by mail will be available Oct. 1, according to www.healthcare.gov.
For more information about local organizations in Texas, visit https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/. Visit impactnews.com for updates about the ACA and the Health Insurance Marketplace as information becomes available.
—Grapevine/Colleyville/Southlake/Westlake editor Judy Wiley contributed to this report.
