2: Number of insurers on the ACA marketplace for Maine in 2014 40,000-plus: The number of Mainers who signed up for insurance through that marketplace. 90: The percentage of Mainers who signed up for insurance on the marketplace and got a federal subsidy. $344: Average monthly subsidy for those Mainers.  $99: Average monthly insurance cost […]

Co-insurance: Your share of the medical bill after you’ve paid your annual deductible. Usually shown in a percentage, as in 20 percent paid by you and 80 percent paid by the insurance company. Co-op: A new kind of nonprofit insurance company run by members for members. Think credit union. Maine has one co-op: Maine Community […]

What is this “Affordable Care Act” of which you speak? It’s a controversial 900-plus-page federal law (officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that was signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It makes some sweeping changes to health care, like requiring almost all Americans to have health insurance. Some people say […]

Call or visit: —  Health insurance marketplace hotline: 1-800-318-2596 for individuals or 1-800-706-7893 for small businesses — The official ACA site: www.healthcare.gov — “Navigators” — federally designated ACA helpers — are available through Western Maine Community Action. Among the regional agencies acting as navigators statewide are: * Aroostook County Action Program: 1-800-432-7881 * Kennebec Valley […]

* You now must have health insurance. Your only out: If you earn less than the poverty level (currently $11,670 a year for one) or you meet one of the federal exemptions. * Maine did not expand Medicaid (also known as MaineCare). Because of that, Mainers who earn less than poverty level do not qualify […]

Need insurance and want a subsidy to help pay for it? Here’s what you should do: Step 1. Check with your employer to see if health insurance is offered. If it is, find out how much your share of the monthly premium will be. If it’s unaffordable (more than 9.5 percent of family income to […]

Name: Pinetree Retirement Planning Years in business: 14 Location: Auburn Insurance in 2014: Private pay (owners), ACA marketplace (employees) Pinetree Retirement Planning is all about helping people navigate the maze of insurance. Life insurance. Long term care insurance. Medicare.  So the irony wasn’t lost on co-owner Melinda Small when she and her husband couldn’t afford […]