What Is Obamacare and how does it work

• Basic benefits package defined by the federal government     
• Increased Medicare payroll tax on upper income earners
• Penalty for employers (with 50+ employees) who do not offer healthcare
• If an employer doesn’t offer insurance, people will be able to buy it directly in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Tax credits to small business – by 2014, 50 percent of the employer’s contributions.
• The Medical Loss Ratio. At least 85 percent of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans must be spent on healthcare services. For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80 percent of the premium must be spent on benefits.
• Eliminating annual limits on insurance coverage for new plans and existing group plans.
• No out-of-pocket for many preventive services. All new plans must cover certain preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay or coinsurance.
• Children up to age 26 can stay on their parent’s health insurance plan.
• No denial of coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
• Insurance companies cannot limit the coverage someone receives over his or her lifetime.
• Expand who will be eligible for Medicaid. States will receive 100 percent federal funding for the first three years, phasing to 90 percent federal funding in subsequent years.
• The law provides consumers with a way to appeal coverage determinations or claims to their insurance company.
• Tax credits for middle-low income uninsured. These individuals may also qualify for reduced copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles.
•  The Individual Mandate. People who are not already covered or fully subsidized will be required to purchase coverage or face a penalty – with some eligible to receive subsidies towards private insurance premiums.  
• https://www.healthcare.gov/  
• We can help you complete the entire application process from beginning to end with information you provide over the phone, including reviewing your options and helping you enroll in a plan. We can also answer questions as you fill out an online or paper application. We’re available 24/7.
  1-800-318-2596
  TTY: 1-855-889-4325
  
  

  Small businesses resources

  Have questions about the SHOP Marketplace for businesses with 50 or fewer employees?
  Call: 1-800-706-7893
  TTY: 1-800-706-7915
  Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. Agents and brokers may also use this number.
  
  

  Help in your community

  In all states, there will be people trained and certified to help you understand your health coverage options and enroll in a plan. They will be known by different names, depending on who provides the service and where they are located. All will provide similar kinds of help:
  • Navigators
  • Application assisters
  • Certified application counselors
  • Government agencies, such as State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Offices
  Insurance agents and brokers can also help you with your application and choices.
  Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find help in your area. You can search by city and state or zip code to see a list of local organizations with contact information, office hours, and types of help offered, such as non-English language support, Medicaid or CHIP, and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).
  These organizations can assist you in finding the kind of help that works for you. Some may be available earlier to set up a future appointment to help you in the Marketplace.