Health Insurance Marketplace offers tool to
help consumers review their plan options for 2015
Consumers should visit the HealthCare.gov window shopping tool to learn about their plan choices. This year there are even more plans on the market than last year.
Consumers should visit the HealthCare.gov window shopping tool to learn about their plan choices. This year there are even more plans on the market than last year.
Beginning
this week, consumers can visit HealthCare.gov to review detailed information
about each health insurance plan offered in their area before applying ahead of
open enrollment, which starts November 15, according to an announcement
made today by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator
Marilyn Tavenner. With more issuers offering coverage through the Health
Insurance Marketplace this year, the majority of consumers will find more
affordable options for themselves and their families. By answering a few simple
questions, such as location and family size, consumers will be able to compare
plans and get an estimate on how much financial assistance they may qualify for
when shopping for coverage, without needing to submit an application.
“Consumers
can prepare for open enrollment by visiting HealthCare.gov and using the window
shopping feature to see what plans will be available in their area,” said
Administrator Tavenner. “Using this tool, consumers can compare plans, covered
benefits, and physician and hospital networks before the Marketplace annual
open enrollment period starts on November 15. New features will give
consumers a comprehensive picture of the plans in their area so they can choose
the one that’s right for them.”
CMS
is working to improve the consumer experience by making the shopping experience
easier. Last year, a consumer had to answer nine questions before being able to
view their plan options, this year a consumer can start looking at plans after
entering just their zip code. Consumers can answer a few simple questions
relevant to them to get an estimate on how much financial assistance they may
qualify for when shopping for coverage. The window shopping tool has also been
optimized for access through a smart phone or tablet. Consumers can also review
their options at a more convenient time by emailing or sharing a link to a
plan’s information. Premium estimates are more accurate due to more robust data
in HealthCare.gov, such as rates adjusted for tobacco use, which are being
included in the estimates provided by the tool.
Window
shopping remains the single most popular section on HealthCare.gov and
regularly has three times the amount of traffic than any other page on the
Marketplace website. CMS has improved the scalability and performance of the
tool for high volumes of traffic. Additionally, the site has gone through
usability and mobile testing that has been key in improving the website’s
features.
Open
Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 15, 2014, and
runs through Feb. 15, 2015. Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov to
review and compare health plan options and find out if they are eligible for
financial assistance, which can help pay monthly premiums and reduce
out-of-pocket costs when receiving services. All consumers shopping for health
insurance coverage for 2015— even those who currently have coverage through the
Marketplace — should enroll or re-enroll between November 15 and December
15 in order to have coverage effective on Jan. 1, 2015.
Consumers
can find local help at: Localhelp.healthcare.gov or call the
Federally-facilitated Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.
TTY users should call 1-855- 889-4325. Translation services are
available. The call is free.
To
preview plans in your area after the new feature is live, visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/
For
more information about Health Insurance Marketplaces, visit: www.healthcare.gov/marketplace
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