What is Obamacare?

                  Learn About Obamacare

What is Obamacare?

"Obamacare" is the nickname for the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act", also called "ACA", signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.

The goal of Obamacare is to help more Americans obtain health insurance by providing financial assistance for middle-to-low-income individuals and familes who qualify.

What is the Marketplace?

The Marketplace is the online exchange where private health insurance companies offer their Obamacare (ACA) plans for the consumer to compare and shop for the plan that is best for them. On the Marketplace, Healthcare.gov, federal tax credits can be computed and applications and enrollments can be done there as well. At Cornerstone Agency we can interface directly with the Marketplace and can streamline an otherwise slow process, preventing errors and saving time and trouble.

Why Obamacare? The Advantages of Obamacare (ACA)

1.PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS ARE COVERED, meaning no one can be refused coverage due to ANY pre-existing health condition.

2. YOUR SPENDING IS CAPPED, meaning every Marketplace plan has a "maximum out-of-pocket" amount. If, through copayments and coinsurance, you reach that "cap" number, you will not need to pay any more for the rest of the year, and the plan will pay all costs, no matter how great. Your spending is capped but the carrier"s is not.

3. FINANCIAL HELP, meaning the Federal government will award "Premium Tax Credits" to help pay for insurance plans from private insurance companies. The amount awarded is based on your age, where you live, size of your household,and your estimate of household income for the year. This helps make premiums very low, and in some cases even $0 per month.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible, you must reside in the USA, and either be a US citizen, or be lawfully present in the USA. This includes green-card holders and holders of various visas, including work visas. We can help you understand which visas are eligible. 417-683-1035 Our help is always FREE.

When can I enroll?

There are two open enrollment periods when anyone eligible can apply:

1. November 1--December 15 for coverage to start January 1

2. December 16--January 15 for coverage to start February 1.

Additionally there are "SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS" during the year for those who qualify. LIFE EVENTS may qualify you if:

1. Your family size has changed, due to a death in the immediate family, marriage, divorce, birth of a baby, adopting a child, an older child turns 26. 

2. Your immigration status changes at all.

3. you lost or will lose coverage from work or from Medicaid.

In all the above cases you have 60 days to apply from the date of the qualifying event.

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT YEAR-ROUND FOR INCOMES LESS THAN 150% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. As outlined below:

FAMILY SIZE          150% FEDERAL POVERY LEVEL FOR 2024

1                              $22,590

2                              $30,660

3                              $38,730

4                              $46,800

5                              $54,870

6                              $62,940

FOR EXAMPLE: If you are a married couple with one child, your household size is 3, and if your estimated household income is less than $38,730 , you can enroll AT ANY TIME during the year.

We can help determine if you have a valid Special Enrollment Period.

How do I Apply?

 Call or text us at 417-683-1035, and we can streamline the process, and get your application done accurately and efficiently, saving time and trouble, and possibly money, too. This is what we do every day. We are happy to help you, and our services are always FREE.