WASHINGTON — Rising premiums and shaken faith among insurers have cast a cloud over sign-up season for President Barack Obama’s health care law, and now it’s crunch time again. Tuesday is the deadline for millions of uninsured procrastinators to sign up in time for coverage to begin on Jan. 1. As the health insurance expansion […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
How to get the most from ObamaCare with the ACA website
Obamacare – 2015 Total On Exchange Enrollment | HealthGrove The newest version of Healthcare.gov, the website used to sign up for health insurance coverage on the federal exchange, is now open for business. The open enrollment period for 2016 began on Sunday, November 1st and will run until January 31st, 2016 — although if you […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Health insurance open enrollment starts soon
Health insurance open enrollment starts Nov. 1, and Maine’s insurance superintendent is encouraging residents and businesses to look at their insurance needs and options. “Individuals and families who purchase their own health insurance should review their options each year,” Superintendent Eric Cioppa said in a recently released statement. “Changes in household income or size can […]
Posted inBusiness
Lewiston health insurance co-op remains king of the marketplace
LEWISTON — Over 66,000 Mainers have signed up for health insurance with Maine Community Health Options, an increase of 65 percent for the state’s only health insurance co-op. Of those people, 57,600 got insurance through the federal marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. That means for the second year in […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston insurer is national ‘rock star’
LEWISTON — When Kevin Lewis helped start Maine Community Health Options in 2011, the health insurance co-op had no employees and no one banging down the door looking for health insurance (it didn’t actually have a door, either). No one knew how a health insurance co-op would do in Maine, mostly because co-ops never existed […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
How the ACA changed your insurance
The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, included a number of changes designed to improve insurance for consumers. Here’s a refresher on some of the provisions most likely to affect you: * Young adults up to age 26 can remain on their parents’ health plan. * Insurers can’t deny coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Supreme uncertainty: The future of the Affordable Care Act in Maine
More than a year has passed since the federal government welcomed HealthCare.gov into the world. After some sleepless nights during those first tumultuous months, President Barack Obama’s administration saw its newborn health insurance marketplace slowly gain footing. Today, HealthCare.gov is finally walking. But on wobbly legs. And some of the other kids don’t want to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Who are the health insurers competing for Mainers’ money?
Mainers shopping on HealthCare.gov can choose from more insurers in 2015. After a plucky start-up overtook the state’s largest health insurer for sign-ups in the marketplace’s first year, a third player left the sidelines and joined the fray. Maine Community Health Options The Lewiston-based health insurer captured about 80 percent of HealthCare.gov shoppers in Maine […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Charlene Brousseau: Sticking with the ACA
Name: Charlene Brousseau Age: 62 Location: Manchester Insurance in 2014: The ACA marketplace Charlene Brousseau faithfully follows the advice of consumer advocates trumpeting the Affordable Care Act. But it hasn’t been easy. The Manchester woman signed up for coverage through HealthCare.gov in 2013, seeking a more affordable plan to tide her over until she qualifies […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Barb Gabri: ‘Rolling the dice’ without insurance
Name: Barb Gabri Age: 55 Location: Lewiston Insurance for 2014: Employer Barb Gabri isn’t a fan of the ACA. At least she hasn’t seen it help many people, especially families that earn too much for government assistance but not enough to pay for their own health insurance. “My heart breaks right down the middle and […]