Navigating Through the ACA Marketplace

The Affordable Care Act enacted by President Obama was designed to facilitate the search process for health insurance. Yet, still some of your patients have trouble with it. Give them some insight so that they can find the right coverage quickly. 

Different Ways to Apply

To assist patients better, start by telling them how they can apply. The four most common ways are through phone, online, paper application, or through in-person help. Online is probably the easiest option, yet it has to be done during the open enrollment period. Open enrollment for 2017 runs from November 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

If your patients are not sure how the whole process works, then get in touch with eligibility experts. These professionals are trained, and they can help your patients fill out an application correctly and in the right time frame.

Assessing Costs

Make sure patients know the financial costs that come with having health insurance. These costs include premiums, copays, and coinsurance. Provide patients with cost-saving tips so that they can get covered without having to spend too much. They can save when they enroll in an Affordable Care Act marketplace plan. These plans typically have lower premiums. If your patients are under the age of 26, they may be able to qualify under their parent’s health insurance plan.

Make sure your patients are aware of these factors so that the marketplace doesn’t add confusion to their already stressful situation.