ACA Health Insurance vs Short Term Health Insurance (Part 1)

Person deciding between ACA plan or short term plan.

In the health insurance market, there are Affordable Care Act health insurance options, and there are Short Term health insurance options. If you are searching for a quality health insurance plan, you may have come across an issue that you may find perplexing. As both ACA and short term health plan options are considered health insurance plans, what are the differences between the two options? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option, when they are compared? These are the type of questions that you will need to have answers to if you want to find a quality health insurance plan the fits your needs and budget. Having a good understanding of the differences of these two types of health insurance plans could save you in monthly premium cost. Not having a good understanding of these issues could end up being a costly mistake.

Good to know: Talk to an independent agent. An independent insurance agent is an essential resource when purchasing insurance. An independent agent works with multiple different carriers, which is different from captive agents who can only sell insurance from the carrier they work for. Working with an independent agent can help make sure that you are getting the best coverage, for the best price.

ACA Health Insurance

ACA health insurance plans (Affordable Care Act health insurance plans), first came into existence when the first part of the comprehensive health care reform law was enacted on March 23, 2010. (The law was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. Full implementation occurred on January 1, 2014, when the individual and employer responsibility provisions took effect, state health insurance Exchanges began to operate, the Medicaid expansions took effect, and the individual and small-employer group subsidies began to flow.) The law provided numerous rights and protections that make health coverage comparatively fair and easy to understand. The Law also allows for subsidies (through "premium tax credits" and "cost-sharing reductions") to make monthly ACA premiums more affordable. The law also expands the Medicaid program to cover more people with low incomes.

Good to know: Read bills carefully. Up to 50 percent of your doctor or hospital bills may contain mistakes that end up costing you money, says Jane Cooper, president of Patient Care, a consumer advocacy group in Milwaukee. Something as simple as an incorrect billing code could prompt your insurance to pay less than expected or even reject your claim. Other common errors: mistakes in an account number, claims with incomplete information - even claims sent to the wrong insurance company address by a doctor. Read your benefits booklet carefully to make sure your plan is paying all it should. If you catch an error, send a certified letter to your insurer. Follow up in a few weeks to make sure the mistake is corrected.
courtesy of Parents.com

The Affordable Care Act contains certain rights and protections that are mandated by law. These rights and protections minimize the coverage exclusions that plagued most previous health insurance plan options. Affordable Care Act health insurance plans are the most comprehensive health insurance coverage you can purchase today. Rights and protections of ACA laws apply to all ACA health insurance plans. Consequently, the policy benefits of each Affordable Care Act plan are largely the same. Generally, ACA plans are differentiated by the deductible amount, the office copay, and percentage of shared costs that the policy holder is responsible for, for medical services. This makes ACA health insurance plan benefits easier for the average consumer to understand.

If you qualify for an ACA health insurance plan, there are no pre-existing medical exclusions to prevent you from purchasing the plan. If you qualify financially, you could receive a subsidy that would reduce the monthly premium of your plan. In Addition, there is no lifetime maximum benefit limiting any Affordable Care Act plan.

Coming soon: ACA Health Insurance vs Short Term Health Insurance (Part 2)

Other articles: Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
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