October 1, 2013 Is Almost Here — Will Michigan’s Marketplace Insurance Exchange Be Up And Running?

Posted by Donna Craig in Sep, 2013

On October 1, 2013 Michigan’s Marketplace Insurance Exchange is to be up and running to allow individuals to review various health insurance plan options from which to secure health insurance as of January 1, 2014.   From all indications we are being told that the Exchange will be ready, although there are many questions that individuals have.  The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange’ availability will be delayed until November 1, 2013.

 The Affordable Care Act requires most individuals to have health insurance come January 1, 2014.  There are exceptions to this mandate though.  If a person falls into one of the following categories, the insurance mandate does not apply.

• Are a member of a bona fide religious group that  opposes health benefits
• Are a undocumented immigrant
• Incarcerated individuals
• Members of Indian tribes
• An individual’s income does not meet the threshold for filing a federal income tax return
• If the individual would pay more than 8%  of his/her income for health insurance

 If an individual does not meet any of the above exceptions they will be required to secure health insurance come January 1, 2014 or else pay a penalty.  If a person has health insurance in place through a private plan, under his employer’s plan, retiree coverage, Medicare, Medicaid or other governmental or non-governmental health insurance program, they will not have to obtain other health insurance coverage.  One exception to the insurance mandate is if a person is uninsured for less than three months (may be between jobs and lose health coverage until being employed again), they will not be penalized.  After the third month, they will need to secure health insurance coverage.

 While Michigan is to have navigators available to assist individuals with maneuvering the insurance options in the Exchange and answer questions, there has been very little education of the public to date.  To get more information about the Exchange, please refer to the following resources.

 www.healthcare.gov

www.michigan.gov/HICAP – Information about Michigan’s Exchange

www.consumersforhealthcare.org  (517) 230-3717 – Michigan Consumers for Healthcare

(877) 999-6442 – Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program