The Affordable Care Act and you
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as health care reform, has been in the news a lot lately. The ACA has brought a number of changes to health care coverage in the US, providing benefits like free preventive care and coverage for adult children to age 26, and it’s bringing even more change next year.
Starting Jan. 1, you must have health care coverage that meets certain guidelines, or you may have to pay a fee on your federal tax return.
You can purchase qualified health insurance:
- Through HISD
- Through your spouse’s employer’s plan
- Through a government plan such as Medicare or Medicaid (or CHIP for
your covered dependents) - Directly from an insurance company
- Through the new federal Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the exchange
If you’re eligible for benefits through HISD, enrolling in any HISD plan means you meet the terms of the ACA and can avoid the fee on your federal taxes. Plus, you can enjoy the generous premium contributions HISD makes on your behalf—up to 80% for some employees.
Something to keep in mind as you consider your options—if you’re eligible for HISD’s plans, it’s likely you won’t be eligible for any of the federal subsidies that might otherwise be available through the Marketplace. And if you decide to purchase a plan from the Marketplace, HISD makes no contributions toward your premiums.
For complete details about the Affordable Care Act, go to healthcare.gov. You can also read some FAQ we compiled for your convenience here.
