Affordable Care Act Myths: Busted!

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary and Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS

Ed. note: This was originally published on the HHS.gov blog.

Most consumers shopping on the Marketplace will be able to find a plan between $50 and $100 per month, thanks to financial assistance.

For years now, Americans have heard more than a few scary stories about the Affordable Care Act and the Marketplace. To put a few of those ghoulish tales to rest, we’re spending this Halloween busting some myths ourselves.

Unfortunately, federal regulations and secret service protection kept us from testing anything with explosives or car crashes. But we managed to bust some myths all the same.

Remember, don’t try this at home. We’re what you call experts!

Myth #1: Health coverage on the Marketplace is unaffordable.

On the surface, headline rate changes can look spooky – but they don’t actually reflect what the vast majority of people will pay.

If you dig deeper, most consumers shopping on the Marketplace will be able to find a plan between $50 and $100 per month, thanks to financial assistance.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #2: Consumers don’t have choices on the Marketplace.

In fact, people shopping for coverage on the Marketplace will have more choices than many people who get coverage through their employers. The average Marketplace consumer will be able to choose from 30 different plans.

It’s important to distinguish between issuers and the plans they offer. On average, each issuer this year will offer around 10 plans. These are plans with different options for premiums, out-of-pocket costs, networks of hospitals and physicians, and prescription drugs.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #3: It’s hard to shop for health coverage on the Marketplace. There are problems with the website and there’s no help available.

We’ve come a long, long way since we launched HealthCare.gov. This year, we’ve made it even easier for you to find and enroll in a plan that works for you and your family.

HealthCare.gov has tools to help people easily compare plans based on their doctor, the medications they need covered, and the out-of-pocket costs they’d pay.

This year, we’ll also be phasing in changes that make it smoother and more intuitive to shop on a phone or tablet. That means no more clicking on tiny boxes or hard-to-read screens.

And people can get help on the phone or in person. The Marketplace Call Center (1-800-318-2596) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 150 languages. You can also find in-person assistance right in your community by visiting: LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #4: I bought coverage on the Marketplace last year, so I don’t need to do anything during Open Enrollment.

Let’s face it – a lot can change year to year. A year ago, for example, I definitely didn’t have this mustache.

Every new Open Enrollment gives you a chance to see if you can find a better plan – or a lower monthly premium. Many people will qualify for tax credits this year, sometimes even if they didn’t during the last Open Enrollment, especially if they live in places where headline premiums are going up.

This year, returning customers to HealthCare.gov can save an average of $682 in annual premiums by shopping on the Marketplace.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #5: It’s fine to be uninsured.

When you’re young, you may think you’re invincible. But we busted that myth a long time ago. Life isn’t always predictable, accidents happen and we all get sick.

Health coverage keeps you protected – both in your health and your wallet. Many young people may not realize that more than 9 in 10 Marketplace-eligible young adults without health insurance have incomes that could qualify you for tax credits that make coverage more affordable than you think. You can even get preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost so you can stay healthy – services like diet counseling to wean you off that addiction to Halloween candy.

There’s one thing that’s predictable, though. If you stay uninsured, you could face a tax penalty come April. Avoid the sticker shock today and get covered.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #6: The Affordable Care Act is killing jobs and driving up costs for everybody.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know this just isn’t true. Since the law passed, U.S. businesses have added 15.3 million jobs, and we’ve experienced 79 straight months of private sector job growth – the longest streak on record.

For the 157 million Americans who have health insurance through their employer, premiums have grown more slowly since the Affordable Care Act passed. And overall health care prices have been rising at the slowest rate in 50 years.

Myth Busted!

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Myth #7: Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 31.

Myth Confirmed!

Open Enrollment is the best opportunity for Americans to shop for health coverage on the Marketplace, and it starts tomorrow. So visit HealthCare.gov to learn about your coverage options today!

Sylvia Mathews Burwell is the HHS Secretary and Andy Slavitt is the Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)