How to Avoid Gaps in Health Coverage: A Guide to ACA Enrollment

Losing your job can be a stressful time, and it’s important to make sure you have health insurance coverage in place to protect yourself and your family. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides options for people who lose their job-based health insurance, but there are time limits and deadlines that you need to be aware of to avoid gaps in coverage.

ACO Insurance and Retroactive Coverage

The ACA allows you to enroll in a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as the Exchange) if you lose your job-based insurance. You have 60 days from the date you lose coverage to enroll in a plan.

However, you cannot enroll in a plan retroactively. This means that if you have a gap in coverage, you will not be able to go back and enroll in a plan to cover that gap.

Avoiding Gaps in Coverage

If you are facing a gap in coverage, there are a few things you can do to avoid being uninsured:

COBRA: COBRA is a federal law that allows you to continue your employer-based health insurance for up to 18 months after you lose your job. However, COBRA can be expensive, so it’s important to compare your options before you enroll.
ACA Marketplace: If you are not eligible for COBRA, you can enroll in a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You have 60 days from the date you lose coverage to enroll in a plan.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a government health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. If you qualify for Medicaid, you will not have to pay any premiums or deductibles.

If You Have an Emergency

If you have an emergency and you do not have health insurance, you may be able to get help from a community health center or hospital. These facilities can provide care on a sliding scale based on your income.

How to Enroll in an ACA Plan

To enroll in an ACA health insurance plan, you can either go to the Health Insurance Marketplace website (HealthCare.gov) or you can call the Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596.

You will need to provide information about your income, household size, and current health coverage. You will also need to choose a plan and pay your first month’s premium.

Choosing an ACA Plan

When you are choosing an ACA health insurance plan, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. There are a variety of plans available, so it’s important to compare your options before you enroll.

You should consider the following factors when choosing a plan:

Monthly premium: The monthly premium is the amount of money you will pay each month for your health insurance.
Deductible: The deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts to cover costs.
Coinsurance: Coinsurance is the percentage of the cost of covered services that you will have to pay after you meet your deductible.
Out-of-pocket maximum: The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you will have to pay for covered services in a year.

Getting Help

If you need help enrolling in an ACA health insurance plan, you can contact a licensed insurance agent or broker. A licensed agent or broker can help you compare plans and choose the one that is right for you.

You can also get help from a community health center or hospital. These facilities can provide information about ACA health insurance plans and help you enroll in a plan.