Top 5 Things You Should Know About The Affordable Care Act
July 1, 2013
The new health care law gives millions of uninsured Americans access to affordable health insurance.
Here are five things you should know about it:
- You must get insurance.
Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act requires nearly all U.S. citizens and legal residents to have health insurance.
- You can get insurance.
You will be able to enroll in some form of insurance coverage, regardless of your age, gender, or health status that may have made it hard to get insurance before.
- You can get help paying for it.
An online calculator tool will be available starting October 1 to help you determine whether your income qualifies you for a government subsidy to buy insurance.
- You won't be turned down because of a pre-existing condition.
Currently, it can be difficult to buy insurance if you are already ill. But in 2014, you're eligible for insurance even if you have a pre-existing health condition.
- You can cover children on your plan up to age 26.
Before the new law, most insurance plans covered only adult children who were full-time students, lived with their parents, were disabled, or considered a dependent for tax purposes. In 2014, all young adults can stay on their parents' plan until age 26.