Open Enrollment has ended for 2018's individual health insurance market, but special enrollment periods may occur for you that will allow for to buy health insurance.

1. If you lose health insurance for any reason other than non pay.
2. If you move to a different county.
3. Get married.
4. Become ineligible for Medicaid.
5. Have a change of citizenship.
6. Become ineligible to be on parents plan.

If you have any questions on how these 6 Special enrollments may benefit you. Please gives a call and we will review your eligibility.

Differences Between AHCA and ACA.

1. No More Mandate to Purchase or Provide Coverage

The plan eliminates the individual and employer mandate penalties. This means people will no longer be fined for lack of insurance, and large companies do not have to pay if they do not offer insurance to their employees. However, the plan allows for insurance companies to charge if a person was uninsured for 63 continuous days during the previous year.

2. Medicaid Expansion

The ACA’s plan to grow Medicaid is being halted. New enrollment freezes in 2020.

3. Abortion Funding Is Restricted

Any facility that offers abortions will not receive federal funding, including Planned Parenthood.  Individuals that receive a plan with a subsidy cannot have abortion coverage.

4. Taxes on the Health Care Law Would Be Repealed

The plan removes the taxes on prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, health-insurance premiums, and medical devices that the ACA used to pay for their plan.  

5. Essential Health Benefits

The AHCA eliminates the requirement for Essential Health Benefits. The AHCA allows limited policies that are only in case of major illness or injury.

6. HSA and FSA

HSA contribution limits would be increased to match high deductible health plan out of pocket limits, and spouses would be able to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA. 

The AHCA would change several current rules that apply to health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Heath Savings Accounts (HSAs). 
HSA and health FSA could be used for over the counter medications. Currently, HSA and health FSA funds cannot be used for over the counter medications without a prescription.

The next step is for the legislation to be moved on to the Senate, where it will likely face serious challenges.  Senator Rand Paul has proposed S.R 222 that is different from the AHCA.  The CBO has yet to score this bill with the amendments.  

Current Similarities between
AHCA and ACA.

1. Pre-Existing Conditions Will Still Be Covered

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover pre-existing conditions. This is still the case under the AHCA, but the creation of High Risk Pools, funded with $8 billion dollars was an added amendment to the AHCA.  Pools provide coverage if you have been locked out of the individual insurance market because of a pre-existing condition, and are subsidized by a state government. The premium is up to twice as much as individual coverage. Individuals who have a lapse in coverage of more than 63 days will be required to pay a 30 percent premium surcharge for 12 months when coverage is purchased. 

2. Adult and College Aged Children Up To Age 26 Can Still Remain on Parents’ Health Plan

People who are under 26 years old can stay on their parents’ health insurance plan under both the ACA and the AHCA.

3. No Lifetime Cap

Before the Affordable Care Act many plans set a lifetime limit, a maximum dollar amount that were covered in the plan. The ACA prohibited this, and it is still prohibited under the AHCA.

4. Tax Credits

The AHCA includes an advanced tax credit, but it is based on age and family size rather than income level.