Healthcare News & Stories

Low-income earners that do not exceed 150% of FPL in North Carolina can qualify for ACA health insurance for $0

In the United States, approximately 16 million workers identify as being self-employed. Self-employment can offer many benefits, including greater flexibility and being your own boss. It also provides an entryway to entrepreneurship and small business ownership.

In 2021, around 59 million Americans worked freelance, representing over one-third of the US workforce. Although many people take freelance gigs to supplement their primary employment, about 28% of Americans who freelanced in 2020 did freelance work as their full-time occupation. And Upwork, an online freelancing platform, believes these numbers will continue growing as more people turn to freelance. Regardless of whether this trend is a part of an overarching lifestyle choice, as many social pundits suggest, this shift does have significant implications for areas like healthcare coverage.

Selecting the right health insurance can be time-consuming and often overwhelming. There is a vast range of medical health insurance available via the Health Insurance Marketplace and private insurance agencies.

Getting help finding the right plan for your budget and health needs is possible by using a health insurance agent or a government navigator.

In the United States approximately 16 million workers are self-employed. Self – employment can provide an entryway to entrepreneurship and small business ownership as well serving as a preferred option for those wanting more flexible schedules than corporate life can typically provide.
In 2020 it was estimated that approximately 41% of the American workforce worked in a freelance position as a self-employed person. Although many people take on freelance gigs to supplement their primary employment with a single company, about 28% of Americans who worked in freelancing in 2020 did freelance work as their full-time occupation. Regardless of whether this trend is a part of an overarching lifestyle choice as many social pundits suggest, this shift does have significant implications for areas like health care coverage.
In recent US history, most of those in the paid workforce have relied upon employer-sponsored health care plans to help them meet their health insurance needs. As the US experiences this shift from more traditional forms of work into this evolving freelance, or gig, economy there is an increased need for individual health care plans that are not attached to a specific employer.

Fall has arrived, and with it, the Open Enrollment period for your health insurance plan. Here are important tips to keep in mind as you select your coverage. The Annual Open Enrollment starts November 1, 2022. 
What Is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is a specially designated period of time that you have to enroll yourself and any family members in a health insurance plan. During the open enrollment period, you have the ability to:

Better ACA subsidies have been announced, making health insurance coverage significantly more affordable for millions of people.
An average of three out of five eligible uninsured Americans can access $0 plans after advance payments of tax credits
An average of four out of five current HealthCare.gov consumers will be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month after advance payments of tax credits  

In response to the COVID-19 national emergency, President Biden has signed into law the American Rescue Act of 2021  making health insurance coverage significantly more affordable for millions of people. This includes increasing the number of people eligible for subsidies and offering zero-dollar premiums for people with lower incomes. Starting April 1, more Americans will be able to qualify for a lower monthly premium through Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans. 
Can I benefit from The American Rescue Act?
Whether you have private health insurance, lost coverage due to job loss, or are unable to afford a plan, the American Rescue Act may benefit you. The new law also allows people who previously made too much for subsidies to now qualify for premium subsidies.

Health insurance can be complicated. Whether you’re purchasing health insurance for the first time or just needs some help navigating the marketplace, we have the answers to your most pressing questions.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides relief for Marketplace Premiums making plans more affordable to consumers. The law increases subsidy amounts and extends subsidy eligibility to households that were not eligible before.
Because of the COVID-19 Special Enrollment period currently in progress, the American public has the opportunity to apply for coverage or make changes to their existing coverage without the need of a qualifying life event.
This special enrollment period ends August 15, 2021.

You never plan to get sick or have a medical condition. So when the unexpected happens, having health insurance can give you peace of mind.
Health insurance also helps you maintain good health. People with health insurance are more likely to stick to routine care or check-ups when something seems a little off.
Here are a few stories from members sharing how health insurance has helped them in times of need:

If you missed open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance, you now have another opportunity to sign up. 
On January 28, President Biden issued an Executive Order on strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act: 
“In light of the exceptional circumstances caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider establishing a Special Enrollment Period for uninsured and under-insured Americans to seek coverage through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace.” 

Health insurance can be complicated. We’re here to help make it easier. If you’re choosing a plan during this year’s open enrollment period, we can help walk you through the process.
Open enrollment begins on November 1, 2020 and runs through December 15, 2020. With only a month and a half to select a plan that works for you, it’s best to get started early.
As you research plans, here are three questions to ask:

How would you feel if you were expected to buy a car, a television or even a meal, without knowing first how much it will cost you? Confused? Helpless? Frustrated?
Unfortunately, that’s exactly how many of us feel when we’re faced with planning a medical test or procedure. We have no idea how much an MRI or a series of blood tests will cost – much less a medical procedure or surgery. This makes a stressful situation even harder to navigate. And if the stress wasn’t enough, lack of health care pricing transparency costs our country more than $100 billion every year. As they say in Washington: that’s real money.
Why is this happening? Because health care is the last frontier of pricing secrecy.