After 2010, the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Katy TX Obamacare, made health insurance more accessible to people who needed it. It revamped how the United States’ medical insurance system worked until then. And even now, this piece of legislation is going strong. You can still get health insurance plans that are compliant with Obamacare standards.
Katy TX Obamacare has helped millions of people across the nation get the coverage they need.
Shortened to the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, it officially went into effect back in 2010. Its main purpose was to increase the number of citizens with health insurance and improve its quality. It required everyone to have health insurance or pay the penalty. However, it also made health insurance options more affordable to many people.
There is a long laundry list of things you must understand when looking for a new health care plan. The terms and jargon may confuse those who haven’t shopped for insurance before. The insurance agents at Golden Plan Choice are here to help you navigate the ins and outs of your medical insurance plans. If you’re looking for an Obamacare or other type of health plan, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
What is Katy TX Obamacare?
Officially, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act back on March 23, 2010. It requires all citizens to have some form of health coverage or pay the penalty. Although there was some pushback on the reforms from opponents, many people who needed coverage finally got health insurance. The reform brought many benefits to the health care system.
One of the main components of the reform was aimed at those with pre-existing conditions. Health insurance companies termed “pre-existing conditions” as health issues you had before the starting date of your new policy. People who didn’t have insurance before they got cancer or developed asthma couldn’t get the coverage because insurance companies would deny them. However, insurance companies can’t deny or charge you more if you have a pre-existing condition after the ACA.
Before the reform, some people couldn’t afford the high monthly premiums. However, the ACA pushed for more affordable health care by providing government subsidies for those eligible. These subsidies could either pay for a portion or all of your monthly premiums. Your eligibility for these subsidies depends mostly on your income; however, it also considers your age, immigration status, and eligibility for other government or employer coverage options.
The ACA also expanded coverage options and added more health services to its plans. Although health insurance before the reform included a list of preventive care, the ACA added many more. Every plan that is compliant with Obamacare standards must include certain types of coverage. These include insurance for hospitalization, ambulatory services, mental health and substance abuse, prescription drugs, and many more.
The Pros and Cons of the Affordable Care Act
Compare the pros and cons of every insurance plan before choosing the best one for you.
Although Katy TX Obamacare changed health insurance programs, many people were against it. Like most acts, there were several pros and cons to them.
- Benefits
In a nutshell, the ACA increases access to health care, decreases costs for some people, and increases protection for consumers.
It reduced the number of uninsured people in the United States. It made health insurance more affordable for individuals or families that didn’t have it before. People with pre-existing conditions could finally get insurance. It also allows young adults to stay on their parent’s health insurance until they’re 26.
- Drawbacks
However, critics say that the ACA brings with it too many regulations. These limits increase costs for a different portion of people, decrease health access for another, and increase bureaucracy.
It requires all citizens to have health insurance. Otherwise, they have to pay the penalty. This penalty starts at $95 or 1% of their household income. Although, since then, some states have since placed exemptions for those who lack coverage.
Critics also state that the ACA places too many constraints on health care providers. These constraints lead to higher costs and fewer choices for consumers.
How to Enroll in Katy Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act is available on an enrollment basis. The official open enrollment period only comes around once a year. Typically, it starts in November and remains open until January of the following year. You can see the official dates and details by visiting the Obamacare page.
To sign up for health insurance in Texas, you need to provide your name, address and zip code, date of birth, and social security number. Having these on hand will make the process much simpler. If you need help navigating the different options, a Golden Plan Choice agent can help you through the entire process.
If you miss the open enrollment period, all hope isn’t lost. You may qualify for a “special enrollment period” if you experience certain life events. This special enrollment is the only other time you can enroll in Obamacare out of the usual period. Some of these life events include unexpectedly losing your previous health plan, gaining a new dependant, marriage, divorce, or a permanent move.
Contact Golden Plan Choice to learn more about the ACA.
Of course, even if you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period either, you can still get health insurance. The government has many other health insurance programs available, such as Medicaid coverage. If you need a health plan, you can see if you qualify.
Contact Golden Plan Choice
Having insurance helps you protect your finances in case of a sudden event or accident in your life. Health insurance covers more than hospital visits. It also covers basic doctor visits and various tests and checks. It helps you, so you don’t have to pay for the health checkups you need out of your pocket.
If you’re unsure how to navigate the difficult terrain of health coverage, Golden Plan Choice can help you. With over 15 years of experience, our agents can guide you to make the best insurance choices. We’ll provide all the information and plans you need to get the coverage you want. Call us today or visit our location to learn more about plans that are compliant with Katy TX Obamacare.
Katy, Texas Fun Facts:
- Before it got its current name, Katy was known as “Cane Island.”
- The name comes from when trappers in the area grew cane along the river, making the land in the middle look like an island.
- The city’s current name was actually the nickname for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, “K-T.”
- For more fun facts, visit the city’s official page.