Currently
Uninsured or Buying Your Own Insurance
Position
Insurance: None. As a part time employee, he
does not receive health insurance through work. However,
His Story: Recently, I became sick and went
to the doctor without any health insurance. Unfortunately, I was denied care
because I did not have enough out-of-pocket money to pay. Despite only working
part-time, my income is too high for Medicaid and I have tried to buy private
health insurance but have been turned away due to my current health condition.
As a result, I have no choice but not go see a doctor even when I am sick
because I know I cannot afford to pay the medical bills. In the past five years,
I have not been to the doctors office once--missing regular check-ups, eye
examinations, and dentist appointments. I am acutely aware that here in America
if you don’t have health insurance, doctors would not want to see you or take
good care of you, and medical bills would be very expensive. Now I am getting older, I worry about my
health condition more because I cannot predict when I will be sick and I am
still not having health insurance until this day.
How does the Affordable Care Act help you if you are
currently Uninsured?
·
Immediate help: If you have a pre-existing
condition and have been uninsured at least six months, you’ll be eligible to
buy coverage through a temporary high-risk program—which limits what you’ll be
charged for out-of-pocket costs.
·
Consumer
Protection: Starting in 2014, insurance plans can no longer deny you
coverage nor can they make you pay more for insurance because of your health,
past medical problems or gender.
·
More
people covered: Under the new law, you may now qualify for basic health
insurance! The ACA expands Medicaid, a public health plan for low-income
residents, to include families under a certain income level ($29,326 for a
family of four)
[1]
. To
see if you qualify for Medicaid, please contact your local community organization.
·
More
affordable private insurance choices: Buying your own insurance can be very
confusing and expensive. The ACA creates “Health Insurance Exchanges” that will
create a simple marketplace for you to choose a health insurance plan that is
right for you and your family. Every insurance plan on the Exchange will
include basic, comprehensive medical coverage and prescription drug benefits.
·
Helping
to pay for private insurance: If you are having trouble paying for health
insurance, the new law will provide subsidies and tax credits to help you and
your family. Starting in 2014, if you buy private health insurance on the
Exchange, you and your family will get tax credits depending on your income
level. For example, your family of four would receive tax credits if your
annual income is between $29,326 and $88,200.
·
Limits
out-of-pocket costs: The new law places limits on how much you have to
spend on deductibles and co-pays for health insurance plans under the Exchange.
Furthermore, insurance plans will be required to cover preventive services such
as screenings, regular check-ups and vaccinations without additional out of
pocket costs.
The new law expands health insurance for many more people,
but there a still people who are left out. The law prevents any coverage for
undocumented immigrants and excludes recent immigrants (first five years) from the Medicaid program.
This
figure refers to 133% of the federal poverty level in 2010. This number will
change annually.
This
figure refers to 133% of the federal poverty level in 2010. This number will
change annually.
Sources: Southeast Asian Resource Action Center