South Dakota ACA Health Care Law Info

The Health Care Exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or now open for enrollment. OK...great, what do I have to do? Well, chances are nothing. Here, let's start with the basics.

The ACA requires that all Americans have health insurance starting in 2014. There are exceptions. One of the ways to make that happen is the creation of Health Care Exchanges or Marketplaces (different words for the same thing). Basically, the Marketplace is a website where you can go to choose health coverage that fits your needs and is priced based on your income.

Here's the thing:  If you already have health insurance from work that you like you don't have to do anything. You can see what is available to you and maybe make change for 2014. But, if you don't want to change you don't need to do anything. Enrollment continues through March 2014. Here is nice explanation I found:

If you already have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, you don’t need to do anything. If you don’t, go to www.healthcare.gov and follow the directions. You’ll end up getting various choices with prices adjusted for your age and income, typically separated into platinum, gold, silver, and bronze options. If your income falls between 100 and 400 percent of the poverty line (between $23,550 and $94,200 for a family of four), you’ll get a subsidy so your actual cost will be anywhere from 2 to 9.5 percent of your gross pay. This calculator helps estimate your subsidy. One more thing to keep in mind: If you’re up to age 26 and don’t have insurance through an employer, your parents’ insurance can cover you. - Kavita Patel and Darshak Sanghavi Slate.com

If you want to find out what is available for you and your family, here are the places to go. The best place to start online is Healthcare.gov. If you want to call someone for help call 1-800-318-2596. You can also try Localhelp.Healthcare.gov

Here's a good video about the Affordable Care Act.