The seventh open enrollment for the Marketplace Health Insurance Exchange opens Friday.
Until then, people can windowshop to preview plans and prices for 2020. For 2020, our area will continue to have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and Medica plans with the addition of Ambetter by Sunflower Health Plans to choose from.
A few facts:
What
Open enrollment is the only time each year when people can sign up for Marketplace health insurance plans.
The enrollment period lasts six weeks. Enrollment begins Friday and ends Jan. 1.
This week people can windowshop at healthcare.gov and review what type of plan is available under their circumstances and how much they would pay, if given discounts for their income and the number of people in their household.
Why
There are two main reasons people without employer insurance should consider buying plans on the exchange.
One is that plans bought on the exchange are required to provide insurance for essential health benefits, including emergency coverage, mental health coverage and pre-existing conditions. The other is that nine out of 10 customers on the exchange qualify for a discount, and many of them qualify for such a high discount that their monthly premium is less than $100.
Those making between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for subsidies to assist paying for premiums and out-of-pocket healthcare costs if they do not have employer-based health insurance or employer- based family coverage.
When
