As pandemic continues, coverage is crucial and financial assistance can help with affordability; enrollment extended until Jan. 15, 2022
The marketplace's ninth open enrollment period started today,
Individuals who don't act by
Monthly premiums for 2022 plans in
This year's single-digit increase in premiums follows decreases the last two enrollment years, totaling more than 19%. Those base premium reductions and the overall stability of Delaware's
In addition, the Biden administration has made increased access to health insurance and affordability a priority by using American Rescue Plan Act funds to increase tax credits and expand subsidies further into the middle class. For instance, a family of four (both parents in their 40s) making
Through last year's Open Enrollment and a Special Enrollment Period held earlier this year for people who lost coverage because of the pandemic, about 30,000 Delawareans now have coverage through Delaware's
Federal tax credits are available for those whose household income is between 138% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. For 2022 coverage, that's between
"All Delaware families need access to affordable, quality health care," said Governor
Plans on the marketplace are spread among metal-level categories - bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic - and are based on how enrollees choose to split the costs of care with their insurance company. Bronze plans have low monthly premiums but high costs when you need care; gold plans have high premiums but lower costs when you need care. In a silver plan, the insurer pays about 70% of medical costs and the consumer pays about 30%. Consumers who pick silver health care plans might also qualify for additional savings through discounts on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. In Delaware, about 25% of current enrollees qualify for cost-sharing reductions. For any marketplace plan in 2022, individual consumers can't pay more than
For 2022, Highmark will offer 13 plans for individuals - four gold plans, three silver, three bronze, two platinum and one catastrophic. Two dental insurers -
All plans offer essential health benefits such as coverage of pre-existing conditions, outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use disorder services, lab services, pediatric services, birth control and breastfeeding coverage, and COVID-19 vaccines, including any necessary boosters. In addition, coverage cannot be terminated due to a change in health status, including diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.
"Providing access to high-quality, affordable health care is one of the ways that we can improve the overall health and well-being of Delawareans," said
This year's slight increase in premiums comes as the market has stabilized after a significant reduction over 19% over the past two years, said Insurance Commissioner
Assistance for Delaware enrollees
Consumers can go to HealthCare.gov or CuidadodeSalud.gov now to explore their options for 2022 coverage, and they can enroll anytime
Delawareans who need help enrolling in coverage will have access to free in-person assistance from federally funded and trained specialists at
State-licensed insurance agents and brokers are also available to help individuals re-enroll and to help employers update their coverage, at no extra charge.
For more information, go to www.ChooseHealthDE.com. You can enroll in marketplace coverage at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1 (800) 318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
According to the
* Delaware's total open enrollment for 2021 (25,320) increased about 5.6% over the previous year.
* About 81% of Delaware's marketplace enrollees receive financial assistance to help pay their monthly premiums and/or deductibles and co-pays.
* The overall average monthly premium in
* Among the 25,320 people who signed up during last year's open enrollment, about 80% were re-enrollees and 20% were new enrollees.
* Financial help is available for individuals with annual incomes up to
* About 74% of Delaware's enrollees signed up during the final three weeks of open enrollment in 2020.
The 11-year-old Affordable Care Act (ACA), which created the
Support from Congressional Delegation
Delaware's
"No one should be without affordable, quality health insurance and starting
"Affordable and comprehensive health insurance is critical, especially during a pandemic and nearing the height of flu season," said
"In the midst of a pandemic, we've been starkly reminded of the importance of health insurance. That's why I join with my colleagues and partners in telling Delawareans that
In addition to the
Both the
Read this original document at: https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=43057175-60E8-4701-AD2C-14B682D125C1
West Virginians interested in applying can learn more at acanavigator.com/wv/home or call at 1-844-WV-CARES
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