Countdown

OPEN enrollment for Covered California begins on October 1st, with coverage beginning on January 1, 2014.
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace (created in congruence with the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare, which was made into law in 2010), where Californians can shop around, compare and apply for health coverage plans.
In its official website (www. CoveredCA.com), Covered California says that it was “created to help you and your family get health coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones. Having insurance is an important way to stay healthy and to pay for health care, if you get sick or injured.”
According to Greenlining Institute Health Policy Director Carla Saporta, “2.6 million Californians will be eligible for subsidies to help them buy health insurance through Covered California, and nearly 1.7 million of them will be Latino, Asian, or African American. It’s critical that our communities understand the new health care options and how they can get help obtaining insurance.”
However, Covered California also warns about possible fraudulent operations which may arise during enrollment season.
In a press briefing on September 20,  Covered California Deputy Director of Communications Dana Howard cautioned the media about the existence of a similar web address (www.CoveredCalifornia.com) which might “phish” for personal information and send spam mail to those who will visit the website.
He advises the public to visit www.CoveredCA.com, the “only genuine” and trustworthy website that provides trusted assistance and information about Covered California.
Howard also reminds the public that only certified educators will do door-to-door campaigns to inform the public about the health care exchange. They are NOT allowed to process enrollment for consumers.
Any direct dealing with Covered California  can only be conducted online.
Howard advises the public to verify the identity of an individual claiming to be from Covered California by asking for their names, identification documents, certified insurance agent ID number or enrollment counselor number.
Meanwhile, last-minute technical glitches in the system has may delay sign-ups in the insurance markets from small business owners, reports the Associated Press (AP).
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that  they may have to wait until sometime in November to finalize their applications, but also said that they can still start shopping by October 1 and that the delay will not prevent them from getting coverage for their employees by January 1, 2014.
Small business owners can fill out a form which will have to be transmitted separately by mail, fax or as an email attachment. They will then be uploaded by HHS into the government’s computer systems.
“We wanted to make sure this was going to work properly and be effective for small businesses. We just felt like taking the additional time to make sure everything was functioning the way we wanted was the right thing to do,” said HHS official Gary Cohen in an interview with AP.
According to AP: “Under the law, most small businesses do not have to provide coverage. But firms with 50 or more employees face a mandate to offer insurance or risk fines from the government.”
In a press release, HHS said that it is “ramping up its education and outreach efforts for America’s small businesses on the Affordable Care Act.”
“In coordination with US Small Business Administration (SBA), the Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance, Business Forward, and the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the campaign will help small employers learn more about how to take advantage of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), part of the Health Insurance Marketplace that opens October 1. SHOP is designed for small employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees. On their own or with the help of an agent, broker, or other assister, small employers will be able to compare price, coverage, and quality of plans in a way that is easy to understand.”
“The SHOP offers small employers quality brand name health insurance plans and lets them make side-by-side comparisons when choosing a coverage option that is right for their business.  In addition, starting in 2014, small employers have additional protections in the insurance market, including that no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.”
“Unlike individuals purchasing through the Marketplace, small employers can enroll in insurance plans through the SHOP on a monthly basis throughout the year.  As such, some states are phasing in SHOP application and enrollment periods.  The SHOP Marketplace for Federally-facilitated Marketplace states opens Oct. 1, 2013, when small employers can start the application process and get an overview of available plans and premiums in their area. All functions for SHOP will be available in November and if employers and employees enroll by Dec. 15, 2013, coverage will begin Jan. 1, 2014,”  the press release further stated.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that “in recent years, the number one concern for many small businesses has been the increasing cost of health insurance premiums. Many who would like to offer insurance to their employees have faced few choices, high administrative costs, and skyrocketing premiums when an employee gets sick.”
Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority John Arensmeyer said: “Since the passage of the health care law, Small Business Majority has been committed to working with policymakers, local chambers of commerce, business organizations and others to educate small business owners about the Affordable Care Act.”
“With open enrollment and full implementation right around the corner, we’ve upped our efforts to get entrepreneurs the information they need to best take advantage of the law’s small business provisions. Small business owners have been waiting for decades for something to rein in premium costs. This is our chance to help get them some relief,” he further said.
Whether applying for health coverage as individuals (via Covered California in California) or as a small business owner (via SHOP), it would be best to have a better understanding of the process. Visit official websites (CoveredCA.com for Covered California; HealthCare.gov for SHOP) read up, and find the best health care that suits you.
Obamacare is now the law of the land and “ignorance of the law exempts no one.”
(AJPress)