INSURANCE ENROLLING IN MARKETPLACE COVERAGE FOR 2025

You can enroll in a health insurance plan through the federal health insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov from Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 15, 2025. (If you need coverage on Jan. 1, you will need to enroll by Dec. 15.)

If you do not have health care coverage (major medical) through your employer and aren't eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, the children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or other coverage source, you can get coverage through the Marketplace if you are eligible.

Marketplace plans must cover essential health benefits (EHB), including prescription drugs, emergency services, hospital-ization, laboratory services, and mental health and substance use disorder services. In addition, preventive health services at no cost to you when delivered by a doctor or provider in your plan's network and you cannot be denied for pre-exiting conditions.

It's important for consumers to know where to find coverage, there are a lot of websites mimicking HealthCare.gov that DO NOT offer qualified health insurance. Double check the website you are on, especially when using a search engine.

Do you already have a Marketplace plan?

If you currently have a Marketplace plan, review your information to make sure it is accurate. You should update your application if you have had any income or household changes. You may qualify for different financial assistance or find another plan that costs less or better suits your needs.

What should you look for when enrolling in a Marketplace plan?

If your plan is no longer available in 2025, you should receive a notice from your insurer and the Marketplace. Even if a plan is continuing, you should confirm that the providers and hospitals you use are still in the plan's network.

If you need a plan, or are looking for a new plan, there are four categories of health insurance plans to choose from on the Marketplace-bronze, silver, gold and platinum. They are broken down by how costs are shared between you and your insurer.

Not all products are health insurance

During this time of enrollment, keep in mind that all products are not health insurance. For instance Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM) do not have to comply with consumer protections of the Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), like covering treatment for pre-existing conditions or capping out-of-pocket costs. In addition HCSM, do not guarantee payment of claims and are not legally required to. State insurance regulators do not supervise HCSMs.

Tool for comparing policies

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a NAIC Health Insurance Shopping Tool. The tool provides a three-step process to compare different health insurance policies. Use the tool to understand how different policies support your health care needs. https://content. naic.org/sites/default/files/legacy/docu-ments/health insurance shopping tool.pdf

You may also contact Enroll Wyoming at https://enrollwyo.org/or by calling 2-1-1 and asking for assistance with health insurance. Enroll Wyoming staff will provide free and unbiased assistance to help you and your family select the right plan.