MAY 2013 – Changes coming to health coverage in 2014

The patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the federal law passed in 2010 to provide health insurance to more Americans.

Affordable Care Act establishes state marketplaces, where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance. Cover California will provide a range of health insurance plans for purchase in the State of California.

In 2010, California was the first state in the nation to enact legislation to implement the provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act by creating a health care marketplace – Covered California.

Starting in January 2014 most people over age 18 will be required to have public or private health insurance or pay a financial penalty. The penalty will be phased in over three years and becomes increasingly more costly.

Employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees that do not offer affordable insurance or offer coverage that does not meet minimum standards will be subject to penalties starting in 2014. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees that do not provide health coverage do not face a penalty but are encouraged to consider affordable employee coverage options offered through Covered California.

The historic law will change the way health insurance companies provide coverage as well as the way consumers purchase coverage.

To calculate your potential insurance costs click on the following link and fill in key information.

http://www.coveredca.com/calculating_the_cost.html