Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov and almost all of the state based marketplaces just opened up. California has been cranking for a couple of weeks now.
Go sign up if you need insurance.
Folks who are currently covered by individual market policies, you are being auto-assigned similar plans to whatever you currently have. You really should go to your account and make sure that this is what you want. Even if you love your plan, premiums will change. Make sure you get what you want instead of just what you have.
Premiums will change due to normal circumstances. Reinsurance waivers are bringing premiums down significantly in some states. New entries into markets are offering new choices that may crush the Silver Gap that led to hugely discounted net of subsidy premiums. Some insurers got smart and figured out how to offer no premium plans to subsidized buyers.
All of this means you need to look and shop. Perhaps you’ll stick around with what you have, but look around to be sure that you’ll not regret your choice in February.
Kent
So since we have employer-based insurance I’ve never had to bother with the exchanges.
But is it always automatic? If you currently have coverage you automatically get renewed unless you elect to make some change? No one accidentally finds their coverage dropped because they didn’t bother to renew on the exchange? I mean I get “open enrollment” messages from my wife’s employer too each fall but barely look at them anymore because we just keep the same coverage. I understand things are more fluid under the ACA but still….I expect a lot of people are busy and just let things ride.
If that’s the case then wouldn’t we necessarily expect numbers of new enrollees to eventually start falling? I’m just anticipating the media coming out with stories about how ACA enrollments are down X-percent in 2018 and suggesting that is somehow meaningful when the real numbers that are important are how many total have coverage and what percent of the country/state/county are uninsured.
Juice Box
Our premiums are going up 0% this year. That’s a first!
janesays
Nope, can’t get on site right now. When I hit the login button, it just goes to a page that says: “We’re getting HealthCare.gov ready for you to apply and enroll in coverage for 2019!”
Butch
@Juice Box: I wish. Ours went up substantially and took it out of the range of affordability – would be more than $18,200 a year for the two of us and we make just over the subsidy limit (it’s about $760/month per person). Luckily I was able to find affordable (relatively) underwritten insurance; it makes me a little nervous but my insurance agent checked it out and says it’s good coverage.
sambolini
Here’s a data point for you. I’m in New Hampshire and am self employed and have had individual plans for 20 years. The lst several years through the Federal Exchange. In 2016 and 2017 had an HDHP with Minuteman @ $600 per month.. They’d under priced all their plans and went out of business. This year I’m with Anthem, equivalent plan (~5500 deductable and OOP) @ $960 per month. They’ve just sent me the 2019 renewal and estimate the premium will be $760 per month. Still they direct me to the Exchange.
For all the failings of the ACA (I’m a bit off the left end of the Democratic spectrum) I think we’re better off with it and I myself have done a lot better.
TKinNC
I’ll look after the election. I already know that if I stick with BCBS (i hate Blue Cross!) my rate is going down even though I survived another year — so I'[m not too worried. But I will check to see if anything else is available AFTER the election. Not going to worry my beautiful mind about anything other than canvassing until 11/7.
Juice Box
@Butch: we live in the Good Place, [email protected]