Signed into law March 23, 2010 by President Obama, the Affordable
Care Act seeks to increase health insurance quality, reduce costs to
both individuals and the government, and lower the number of
uninsured Americans by expanding public and private coverage options. The ACA will bring numerous
changes to the way health care is implemented in the United States,
including:
- Required health insurance for all people
- Government assistance to pay coverage costs for many single people and working
families
- Expanded Medicaid programs in many states
- A new option for purchasing health insurance, also known as the Health Insurance
Marketplace
Built into the health care law are protections ensuring Americans cannot be denied
coverage, receive coverage for 10 essential health
benefits, and do not face any annual or lifetime limits on the amount insurers
pay for essential health benefits.
Marketplace Insurance plans are divided into four categories,
based on the monthly costs and costs when you receive care. The
quality or amount of care are not impacted by the categories. These
tiers impact premium costs you pay each month, as well as
out-of-pocket costs you are responsible for paying for things like
doctor visits, prescription drugs and hospital stays.
Plan |
Monthly |
Out-of-Pocket |
Best For |
Bronze |
|
|
people who don’t
plan to use their health care services much |
Silver |
|
|
people who want to
balance monthly and out-of-pocket costs |
Gold |
|
|
people who are
looking for affordable monthly and out-of-pocket costs |
Platinum |
|
|
people who plan to
get a lot of use from their health care services |
|
Bronze |
Silver |
Gold |
Platinum |
Monthly |
|
|
|
|
Out-of-Pocket |
|
|
|
|
Best For |
people who don’t plan to use their health care services much |
people who want to balance monthly and out-of-pocket costs |
people who are looking for both affordable monthly and
out-of-pocket costs
|
people who plan to get a lot of use from their health care
services
|
Learn more about Marketplace Insurance plans at HealthCare.gov.
All small group and individual health plans must, beginning in
2014, offer a core set of essential health benefits. These include:
- Preventive, wellness, and disease management services
- Emergency care
- Ambulatory services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity and newborn services
- Pediatric services, including dental and vision
- Prescription drugs
- Laboratory services
- Mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services
- Rehabilitation and habilitation services
Learn more about essential
health benefits at HealthCare.gov.