The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has resulted in many changes to healthcare, including removing exclusions for pre-existing conditions and requiring plans to cover certain preventive services, such as colonoscopies and mammograms.
The aim of the Affordable Care Act is to reduce costs and fraud, and ensure every American has access to health care. Not all of the changes under the new plan were instituted immediately, but rather are being implemented over time.
Among the changes that has yet to be implemented is the health insurance mandate. In 2014, most people will be required to carry health insurance through an employer-sponsored plan, an individual plan or Medicaid, or else pay a penalty. Several groups are exempt from this requirement including:
- People who would have to pay more than 8% of their income on health insurance
- Those with incomes below a certain tax threshold
- Those who qualify for certain religious exemptions
- Undocumented immigrants
- Incarcerated individuals
- Members of American Indian tribes
Those who forego insurance will have to pay either a specified percentage of their income as a penalty or a specified dollar amount—whichever is greatest. The percentages of income will increase over time beginning in 2014 to encourage people to purchase or join a health insurance plan. Health insurance companies will begin to provide documents to their insured members to prove coverage.
Benefit Package has knowledgeable insurance agents to help you get ahead of the game and find an insurance plan that best suits for you needs. Call us today for assistance at 1-800-356-3615, or visit our website for a California health insurance quote.