Healthcare is a major concern for almost everyone these days. With rising premiums, skyrocketing costs, and ever-changing regulations, it’s no wonder so many people are looking into ways to get affordable health insurance. If you’re thinking of getting health insurance through your employer, there are a few things you should know first. In this article, we will explore the basics of health insurance and how it works. We will also discuss some of the factors that will affect whether or not you qualify for coverage.
What is Health Insurance?
There are a few things you’ll need to qualify for health insurance. You must be a United States citizen or legal resident, have an income below a certain threshold, and not be covered by another plan. If you’re not sure if you qualify for health insurance, call your state Medicaid agency.
Types of Health Insurance
There are three types of health insurance:
-Open enrollment: Arizonans have the option to enroll in a plan during open enrollment which runs from November 1st through December 15th every year.
– Exclusive contract: An individual may only be covered under an exclusive contract if they have worked for the company for at least 30 days in the past 12 months.
– Group coverage: Group coverage is available to individuals who are not covered by an exclusive contract or who are not eligible for an open enrollment plan. In order to be covered under group coverage, an individual must be a member of a qualifying group, such as employees of a particular company.
How to Qualify for Health Insurance
There are a few things you’ll need to qualify for health insurance. The most important thing is that you have an illness or injury. If you don’t have an illness or injury, you may still be able to get health insurance if you’re considered a dependent on your parents’ or guardians’ income tax returns. You also need to be a citizen or resident of the United States, have a Social Security number, and meet other requirements.
If you don’t meet all the requirements for getting health insurance, there are other ways to get coverage. You can buy individual health insurance plans through government-run insurance exchanges, called marketplaces in some states. Or you can get coverage through your employer without having to go through an exchange. If your employer offers coverage, it’s usually Required By Law so you may be able to get it even if you don’t qualify for government-provided health insurance.
What are the Requirements for Health Insurance?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all Americans to have health insurance by 2014. If you do not have coverage through your employer, you may be able to get insurance on the marketplaces, Medicaid, or a private plan. To qualify for health insurance, you must meet certain requirements.
You must be a U.S. citizen or national, age 18 or older, and have been resident in the country for at least six months before applying for coverage. You cannot be pregnant or have a pre-existing condition.
You must have income below 400% of the federal poverty level ($47,560 for an individual in 2013). Children under 19 are considered children until they turn 26 and are therefore also exempt from this requirement.
If you do not have coverage through your employer or government programs like Medicaid, you will likely need to purchase your own health insurance. The ACA offers tax credits to help people afford coverage on the marketplaces and private plans.
Conclusion
Are you looking to get health insurance but don’t know if you qualify? You are not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of Americans do not have health insurance. If this is you, read on for some tips on what it takes to qualify for health insurance in the U.S. and how to go about getting covered.
