Catastrophic plan: You’re young, poor and feel invincible — this is the plan for you. Only for those under 30. Offers low monthly cost, high yearly deductible, limited benefits. Basically, it’s there in case you’re in a major car accident, get cancer or suffer some other major medical problem. You know, a catastrophe. Thus […]
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Posted inMaine
High anxiety? We’ve got your back.
Here’s something you probably never thought you’d hear: Health insurance is about to get interesting. New discounts. New benefits. New rules. And a new place to buy. Come Oct. 1, people can start signing up for health insurance in the new Affordable Care Act marketplace, or exchange. All individuals, families and small businesses can use […]
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Making it happen: A step-by-step
Need insurance? Here’s what you should do: Step 1. Check with your employer to see if health insurance will be offered. If it will, 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 insure you), poor quality or doesn’t exist at […]
Posted inMaine
You, Dr. McDreamy and the ACA
What are your options under the Affordable Care Act? Here are some examples — with the help of some (slightly re-imagined) characters from “Grey’s Anatomy.” Izzie, 24, single, no kids, doesn’t smoke. Lives with mom and dad in Bangor while she saves up money for medical school. She makes $16,000 a year working part time […]
Posted inMaine
An ACA timeline
March 23, 2010: President Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Coverage required for children with pre-existing conditions and young adults under 26 Insurers prohibited from placing lifetime limits on coverage and arbitrarily canceling coverage Insurers must cover certain preventive health services for free, with no copays or deductibles, such as colonoscopy […]
Posted inMaine
ACA heartburn? Here’s your Rx
Affordable What Act? The nation’s most pivotal health reform in 50 years kicks into high gear this fall. You’ll be affected. Here’s how. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been called a lot of things since it became law three years ago. Also known as the ACA or Obamacare, the law is both […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Highlights of the Affordable Care Act
You have lots of questions about the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The Sun Journal and the Bangor Daily News want to help you understand what the ACA will mean for you and your family. Through a 5-part series that begins Sunday and runs each Monday through Sept. 30 — the day before the ACA […]
Posted inMaine
Where to get assistance and more info
Call: — Health insurance marketplace hotline: 1-800-318-2596 for individuals or 1-800-706-7893 for small businesses — “Navigators” — federally designated ACA helpers — are available through Western Maine Community Action (available starting Oct. 1). Among the regional agencies acting as navigators statewide are: * Kennebec Valley Community Action, 1-800-542-8227 * Opportunity Alliance (Cumberland County), 1-877-429-6884 * […]
Posted inMaine
Just the FAQs ma’am
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 […]