Privately Insured Americans to Learn about the Health Insurance Marketplaces

Starting in 2014 there will be a new way for you to buy health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.� Whether you�re uninsured, or just want to explore new options, the Marketplace will give you more choice and control over your health insurance options.

Today, the Departments of Health and Human Services and Labor are taking another step to let you know about new insurance options available in 2014.� Over the course of the remainder of the year, businesses and health insurers in the individual market will send Americans information about coverage through the Marketplace.

Among those who will get notices are the approximately 7 million individuals and their dependants who become eligible for coverage through COBRA every year, including people who may be in between jobs and have the option to buy into their former employer�s coverage.� COBRA coverage is generally expensive, and a number of people turn it down and become uninsured.� From now on, people leaving their jobs will learn that they may be eligible for affordable insurance through the Marketplace.� People who purchase coverage through the Marketplace instead of COBRA could cut their premiums by as much as half. �They may also qualify for a new kind of tax credit that lowers monthly premiums right away.

These notices are the just another step in the Administration�s efforts to raise awareness of the new, quality, affordable health insurance options available in 2014.� Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1, 2013. �

To learn more visit www.healthcare.gov/marketplace.

A Simpler Way to Apply for Health Care

Today, we take one more step toward meeting the promise of helping millions of Americans access quality, affordable health coverage.

We have finalized the application you can complete later this year to learn what health insurance programs you are eligible for and the discounts to help pay for it.� Starting in October, it will be the one application you can use to apply for the new Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, the Children�s Health Insurance Program, and tax credits that will help pay for premiums.

I�m also pleased to say the application has been simplified and significantly shortened.� The application for individuals is three pages, and the application for families is reduced by two-thirds, to seven pages. This is much shorter than industry standards for health insurance applications today.

Whether you choose to use this application to apply for coverage online, by phone, or on paper, the Health Insurance Marketplace will give you better options than they have today � with one destination to apply and many resources to get help.� In-person counselors and a toll free phone line will be available to help you through every step of the process.�

The online application that will go live on Healthcare.gov when the Health Insurance Marketplace opens for enrollment on October 1, can be found here: http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/other/index.html#hie

You can sign up to learn more and get ready to enroll at signup.healthcare.gov.