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What You Need To Know About The Affordable Care Act

GUESTS

C.J. Bawden, Silver State Exchange

Bill Donahue, CEO, Nevada Health Co-op

John Packham, Director of Health Policy Research, University of Nevada School of Medicine

 

The Affordable Care Act or Obamacare is still creating plenty of political debate, but  the health care and health insurance industries are getting ready for the big change. New policies are on sale October 1 and everyone will need insurance by January 1, 2014. Our guests will tell you what you need to know.

How Much Will It Cost?

Although costs of the plan won’t be officially rolled out until September 1 st, C.J. Bawden of Silver State Exchange had a ball park scenario.

“If we take a family of four that makes $47,000 a year and lives in the Las Vegas Valley, they’re going to receive a subsidy that will reduce their cost for the second lowest price insurance, the Silver Plan on Nevada Health Link,” says Bawden. “A family of four would pay $250 per month under the second lowest cost plan.”

Can I Keep My Current Plan?

“You may keep your insurance if you’re happy with your insurance,” says Bawden. “You can see different types of health plans that are offered in the market and make your choice. If you qualify for a subsidy it will make health insurance more affordable.

Are The Rules Set In Stone?

Even though the specifics of the Affordable Care Act are announced in September, and the plan goes into effect in January, don’t expect all the rules and regulations to be fully evolved by that point.

 “When we passed Medicaid during the Johnson years and the Great Society years, there were, following that, quite a number of amendments and regulatory changes,” says Bill Donahue, CEO of Nevada Health Co-op. “I don’t suspect this will be any different.

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