The News & Observer recently reported on the health plans that will be available in the Marketplace in North Carolina in October. Three insurance carriers will be offering plans in the Marketplace, and in some counties, that number is reduced to one. Despite the small number of carriers particpating, as many as 60 plans may be offered. Details of the plans, like premium costs, are still under wraps.
North Carolina insurance officials have approved the health plans that will be available through the Marketplace, and the plans now await approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Rates, deductibles and other details of the plans are considered trade secrets and will remain under wraps until posted online by HHS sometime before October 1 when the Marketpalce opens for enrollment.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plans to offer subsidized coverage through the Marketplace in all 100 counties of the state. Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas will offer subsidized plans in some parts of the state and FirstCarolinaCare will operate in just six counties. More than 1 million North Carolinians are expected to sign up for subsidized insurance through the Marketplace this fall.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all indivdiuals to have health insurance and provides subsidies to offset the cost of plans in the Marketpalce for individuals and families within certain income levels. Indivdiduals with annual income up to $45,960 a year, and a family of four with household income up to $94,200, will be eligible to recieive subsidies. In addition, individuals with pre-existing conditions will be able to get coverage and will not be charged more because of their health condition. Premiums in the Marketplace can vary depening on age, tobacco use and county of residence, but cannot vary based on the medical history of the individual. For more information about the Affordable Care Act visit www.HealthCare.gov.
Read the full News & Observer article by John Murawski here.
