As a service to the community, the League of Women Voters of Louisiana has prepared an updated "HEALTH INSURANCE BASICS 2016" and posted it on its web site http://lwvofla.org. .
The document briefly discusses:
• The benefits of health insurance coverage
• The dates for Marketplace enrollment or renewal or change of an existing plan
• What information one needs to have on hand
• What steps one needs to take to enroll or renew or change an insurance plan.
"HEALTH INSURANCE BASICS" also includes a table showing for each size household the range of incomes that may make individuals eligible to receive help to pay for health insurance in the Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or through Medicaid Expansion “Healthy Louisiana.”
The ACA extends health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace by providing access to basic, affordable, high quality healthcare services through plans offered by private insurance companies. These private insurance companies offer a variety of plans to individuals, families, and businesses. The plans differ in the coverage offered, the premium charged, and the percentage of costs one will have to pay for services. It is important to review all companies and plans before making a decision, urges the League.
There are a number of organizations that provide free assistance and will help in the Health Insurance Marketplace. HEALTH INSURANCE BASICS provides both telephone and email contact information for these organizations.
To access this information go to the League of Women Voters’ website at http://lwvofla.org and click "HEALTH INSURANCE BASICS."
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to advocating, and promoting access to basic affordable, quality health care for all Americans.