Health Insurance Exchanges Will Make Medical Coverage Easier to Find — and Afford
Mike Morgan for AARP
Three years after being signed into law, the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges are about to begin.
En español | With the new health insurance exchanges mandated by the three-year-old Affordable Care Act on the horizon, people will soon be able to go online to compare and buy health insurance.
AARP is working to ensure that these marketplaces are consumer-friendly and offer affordable, quality health care choices. The marketplaces will help people find coverage and determine whether their premiums could be subsidized with a tax credit.
Sign up to read stories of real people making a difference
The government website HealthCare.gov has been updated to feature personalized information about the exchanges. Consumers will be able to purchase qualified plans on the exchanges starting in October, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
The Department of Health and Human Services is still writing the regulations for setting up the exchanges. AARP is advocating for clear language and policies that make it simple to enroll in the exchanges.
"AARP fought to ensure the new health law would prevent insurance companies from pricing older Americans out of affordable coverage and denying people because of preexisting conditions," says Ariel Gonzalez, AARP's director of health and family advocacy. "Now we're working to ensure the new health marketplace is transparent and provides older Americans quality and affordable choices."
the affordable care act and you
- AARP Health Law Guide: Use this tool to see how the health law can benefit you — whether or not you're currently insured.
- Health Law Fact Sheets: Find the information you need on topics including benefits for young families, older adults and retirees.
- What's in Effect, What's Still to Come: Several benefits and protections are in place now, with more coming through 2014.
Also of Interest
- Survey: Older voters oppose switch to chained CPI
- 9 common ailments that drive you crazy
- Join AARP: Savings, resources and news coverage
See the AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more