Your Health Insurance Enrollment Questions Answered

As open enrollment gets underway through the state's health insurance marketplace, groups are working across Connecticut to help meet goals to halve the state's uninsured population.

Access Health CT announced last week that it aims to enroll 140,000 people in health care plans through the state exchange.

Numerous Facebook users responded to posts on the NBC Connecticut page addressing questions about signing up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

One of the most common questions was, “How do you balance what plan is the right option for you, especially when financial considerations are so important?”

Deb Polun, who handles government relations for the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, said consumers need to know one basic, important piece of information when considering health care plans.

The coverage options are organized based on premium levels which also corresponds to the amount of coverage provided. Plans are bronze, silver, gold and platinum. As the level of precious metal gets more expensive, so, too, does coverage.

"If you're generally a healthy person who doesn't tend to need a lot of medical care, you're going to be fine on either a bronze or a silver plan,” Polun said. “If you're somebody with a chronic condition like diabetes, or multiple sclerosis, even asthma, then you're going to want to go toward the gold or platinum plans so that you can get the comprehensive coverage."

Another common question has to do with how people will be able to pay for plans.

“Who qualifies for subsidies and who doesn't?” Facebook users asked.

Polun said income is the biggest factor when it comes to getting assistance to pay for coverage. If a family of four with annual earnings of less than $95,000 applies for coverage, then it will qualify for federal assistance.

Families and individuals also need to consider that their entire health care cost could be covered by the state.

"There are people who are going to be able to get on Medicaid for the first time, which is going to provide them with really comprehensive coverage at no cost," Polun said.

For help signing up, Polun recommended that people show up in person to one of the Access Health CT retail locations or go to places like health centers and public libraries where they can find certified application counselors who are well-versed in all facets of the Affordable Care Act.

Contact Us