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Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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  • Introduction
  • Answers About Marketplaces
  • Myths and Facts
  • Press on Implementation
  • High Risk Pool Enrollees
  • ESRD and Premium Only Part A
  • Related Documents, Articles and Updates
  • www.healthcare.gov – Official Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

As an HHS Champion for Coverage, the Center for Medicare Advocacy is committed to implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the people we serve, including older adults and people with disabilities. ACA has already strengthened Medicare by gradually closing the Part D doughnut hole and providing some free preventative services, among other reforms. Although ACA became law in 2010, many of its key features are only now coming into effect.

The first open enrollment on the new health insurance Marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act began October 1st, 2013 and ran until March 31st, 2014. Next year's open enrollment is November 15th, 2015 to January 15th, 2016. Individuals may also qualify for Special Enrollment Periods outside of Open Enrollment if they experience certain events.  The Marketplaces can help consumers who are uninsured find affordable health insurance coverage. To visit the Marketplace to find out if you qualify for coverage, including information on Special Enrollment Periods, go to www.healthcare.gov/marketplace.  

People with Medicare do not need to visit the Marketplace — their Medicare coverage, whether they receive it through a Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare, isn’t changing because of the Affordable Care Act and the Marketplaces.  According to the Department of Health and Human Services, it is illegal to sell someone with Medicare a Marketplace plan (also called a Qualified Health Plan or a QHP).

The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period (AEP) period runs from October 15th to December 7th but is not connected to the ACA Marketplace open enrollment period.  During the AEP, people with Medicare can change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.  People with Medicare can visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to review their coverage options and make sure they plan they have is still right for them. Medicare beneficiaries can also call their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIPs have Medicare experts that can counsel beneficiaries on Part D and Medicare Advantage choices.

If someone is having trouble affording their Medicare benefits including their Part B or D premium and co-insurance, they can apply for Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program and the Part D Low Income Subsidy. To apply for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program, beneficiaries can contact their state Medicaid office. To apply for the Part D low income subsidy, visit the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/.

For more information on Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, see:

  • Resources for people with Medicare that have questions about the ACA Marketplaces
    • Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medicare and the Marketplace (Updated June 2015)
    • Health Law Answers (AARP)
    • How will the Affordable Care Act Affect Seniors? (PBS News Hour Video)
    • Obamacare Seniors (Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL)
    • A Bridge to Health (the Medicare Rights Center)
    • Suspect a Healthcare Scam? Here’s what to do. (The Federal Trade Commission)
    • Expert Q & A: Know the Difference Between Medicare and the Marketplaces (Families USA)
  • "Myths and Facts about the ACA"
    • Medicare Facts and Fiction: Quick Facts to Combat Spin (CMA)
    • Obamacare Myths (FactCheck.org)
    • The $700 billion Medicare Myth (CMA)
  • Press coverage on Affordable Care Act implementation for people with Medicare
    • Beneficiaries of Medicare Left Confused by Exchanges (10/14/2013, NY Times)
    • In New Health Law, A Bridge to Medicare (NY Times 9/9/2013)
    • Survey: Some Seniors Confused about Law and Medicare (USA Today 9/17/2013)
    • FAQ: Seniors On Medicare Don’t Need To Apply To The Health Law Marketplaces (Kaiser Health News 9/23/2013)
    • Officials work to clarify for seniors effects of health-care shifts on Medicare (Washington Post, 9/13/2013)
    • Amid ObamaCare Marketing Push, Confusion About Medicare (The Connecticut Mirror, 9/24/13)
  • Information on tax credits for people with ESRD and people entitled only to Premium Part A

  • New IRS guidance will impact people eligible for Medicare based on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and those who must pay a premium for Part A January 8, 2014

  • http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-13-41.pdf(The Internal Revenue Service)
  • High Risk Pool Enrollees
    • CMS rule for the sale of Marketplace policies to Medicare beneficiaries in closing high risk pools (.pdf)

Related Documents, Articles and Updates

  • marketplace.cms.gov – the latest resources for professionals learning about the Marketplace and helping people apply.
  • Download the full text of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Note: Large .pdf file approximately 900 pages.)
  • Health Reform Frequently Asked Questions (The Kaiser Family Foundation)
  • Supreme Court Hears Case Challenging Affordable Care Act November 12, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy’s Statement on Supreme Court ACA Oral Argument November 10, 2020
  • Five Days until the Affordable Care Act is in Front of the Supreme Court November 5, 2020
  • Dismantling the Affordable Care Act Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries October 29, 2020
  • Dismantling the Affordable Care Act Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries October 22, 2020
  • Dismantling the ACA Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries | Highlight on Preventive Services October 15, 2020
  • Supreme Court Nomination Could Have Devastating Consequences for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare October 9, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy and Colleagues File Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Support of the Affordable Care Act May 13, 2020
  • Decisive Win for Affordable Care Act: Supreme Court Rules Sabotage Attempt Illegal April 30, 2020
  • Supreme Court to Hear Affordable Care Act Repeal Case March 5, 2020

For older articles, see our Article Archive.

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