The open enrollment period for 2025 health insurance through Healthcare.gov (sometimes referred to as Obamacare) has begun. Don’t miss out!
It’s that time of year again when open enrollment for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace begins. It’s open now until December 15, for coverage starting January 1. People who select a plan after December 15, 2024, but before the January 15, 2025, deadline can have coverage that begins February 1, 2025.
This is the only time someone is eligible to purchase health insurance outside of a special enrollment event like marriage, birth of a child, or losing other health insurance.
What is the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as healthcare reform, is a law that aims to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to more people. It was signed into law in March 2010 by President Barack Obama.
From November 1 to January 15, individuals and families can sign up for or make changes to their health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
How do I sign up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov?
The American Hospital Association’s #GetCovered page provides helpful resources to assist people in selecting the best health insurance options for themselves and their families. The AHA also participates in CMS’s Champions for Coverage program, which supports outreach efforts and provides educational materials for hospitals and other enrollment partners.
For more details about 2025 open enrollment, check out the CMS fact sheets for both the federally facilitated and state-based marketplaces. To see plan options and prices, click here to get an estimate.
Follow these suggested preparation steps to help you save time when applying:
- Use this checklist (PDF, 163 KB) to gather any documents and information you may need before starting your application. Taking these steps now will save you time during the application process.
- Check if you qualify for discounts. Many people do! You will find out for sure when you apply.
- Understand the importance of health insurance. Health insurance provides essential health benefits, protects you from high medical costs, and offers free preventive care like vaccines and screenings.
- Learn how to select the best plan for you and your family by understanding the key features of different plans.
This year, the government redesigned the Healthcare.gov homepage to help with visual styling and user navigation. There were also several updates to the backend to help improve account holder user experience and streamline next steps for applications and enrollment. The entire site, from the exterior pages to the backend, was also made to work better with mobile devices.
How much does Marketplace health insurance cost?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that 97% of HealthCare.gov users will have access to at least 3 insurance providers on the Marketplace, and 4 out of 5 users will be able to find coverage for $10 or less per month after applying subsidies.
Affordable Care Act plans exist on a four-tier system—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. As an example, after entering basic information into the Marketplace’s Saving money on health insurance page, a plan for a non-smoking family of 4 in Michigan making $50,000 combined would look like this:
You are likely eligible for financial help
Based on the information you provided, your income is equal to 160% of the poverty level. This means you are likely eligible for financial help through the Health Insurance Marketplace. An estimate of your cost for coverage and amount of financial help in 2025 are provided below. To find out your actual amount of financial help and to get coverage, you must go to Healthcare.gov or your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace.
Estimated financial help: |
$1,785
per month ($21,423 per year) as a premium tax credit. This covers 99% of the monthly costs. |
Your cost for a silver plan: |
$17
per month ($205 per year) in premiums (which equals 0.41% of your household income). |
The most you have to pay for a silver plan: |
0.41%
of income for the second-lowest cost silver plan |
Without financial help, your silver plan would cost: |
$1,802
per month ($21,628 per year) |
Source: https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/
Cost estimates when you get care
The percentages listed are estimates of the plan’s share and your share of costs when you get covered services. The actual costs you pay vary by plan.
| Plan category | Plan pays | You pay | Deductible is generally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% | 40% | High |
| Silver | 70% | 30% | Moderate |
| Silver with extra savings | 73-96% | 6-27% (Depends how much savings you qualify for) |
Low |
| Gold | 80% | 20% | Low |
| Platinum | 90% | 10% | Low |
Source: https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/plans-categories/
With the 2025 open enrollment period for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace quickly coming to a close, now is the time to review your options and secure the coverage that works best for you and your family. The deadline is fast approaching, so don’t miss this opportunity to access affordable health care and ensure peace of mind for the year ahead.
At Wilder Pantazis Law Group, we care deeply about the well-being of our Charlotte community, and we understand the unique challenges injured workers face when trying to access the medical care they need. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the support and resources necessary for their recoveries. From helping you navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation claims to advocating for the full benefits you deserve, we’re here to stand by your side.
If you’ve been injured on the job in North Carolina, let our experienced Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys help you secure the medical care and lost wages you need to move forward with confidence. Schedule your free consultation today.