New
Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage
Options
and Your
Health Coverage
PART A: General
Information
When key parts of the health care law take effect in 2014, there will be a new way to buy health insurance: the Health
Insurance Marketplace. To assist you as you evaluate options for you and your family, this notice provides some basic
information about the new Marketplace.
What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?
The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget. The
Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private health insurance options. You may also be eligible
for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premium right away. Open enrollment for health insurance
coverage through the Marketplace begins in October 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014.
Can I Save Money on my Health Insurance Premiums in the Marketplace?
You may qualify to save money and lower your monthly premium, but only if your employer does not offer coverage, or
offers coverage that doesn't meet certain standards. The savings on your premium that you're eligible for depends on
your household income.
Does Employer Health Coverage Affect Eligibility for Premium Savings through the Marketplace?
Yes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible
for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer's health plan. However, you may be
eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost-sharing if your employer does
not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain standards. If the cost of a plan from your
employer that would cover you (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5% of your household
income for the year, or if the coverage your employer provides does not meet the "minimum value" standard set by the
Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible for a tax credit.
1
If you purchase a health plan through the Marketplace instead of accepting health coverage offered by your
employer, then you may lose the employer contribution (if any) to the employer-offered coverage. Also, this employer
contribution -as well as your employee contribution to employer-offered coverage- is often excluded from income for
Federal and State income tax purposes. Your payments for coverage through the Marketplace are made on an after-
tax basis.
How Can I Get More Information?
The Marketplace can help you evaluate your coverage options, including your eligibility for coverage through the
Marketplace and its cost. Please visit
for more information, including an online application for health
insurance coverage and contact information for a Health Insurance Marketplace in your area.
1
An
employer-sponsored health plan meets the "minimum value standard"
if the
plan's
share of
the total allowed benefit costs covered
by
the plan
is no less
than 60 percent
of
such costs.
Form Approved
OMB No. 1210-0149
(expires 4-30-2017)
