It’s Time to Get Covered – 2020 ACA Enrollment Deadline is December 15

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored collaboration with UnidosUS. All opinions are my own.

It’s the time of year to make sure you have healthcare coverage for yourself and for your loved ones. Friends don’t let friends go without health insurance, and Amigas, our Latinas are especially at risk for not being covered. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enrollment deadline, December 15, is approaching and I don’t want any of you to miss it, Queridas.

LATINAS, We Need to be Covered

The U.S. Census data about how under insured Latinas are in the U.S. is alarming. Did you know that before the ACA, 36% of Latinas ages 15-44 did not have insurance? That number fell by 11 percentage points in just two years after the ACA was passed. That’s better but we still have work to do.

That age range (15 – 44) is the reproductive age range for women. Without healthcare coverage during this time, it could lead to delayed prenatal visits if a woman is pregnant. Coverage can also provide women with birth control options to be able to choose the time to become parents.

At a time when Latinas are part of a fast-growing population group in the U.S., ensuring coverage for our future leaders is important. We already know that Latinas are the fast growing business owners. Now, let’s continue to help make sure Latinas are also covered.

Research and Choose A Plan

Like so many of you, I do my best to stay healthy. Admittedly, I could do better. It’s a challenge when we all wear so many hats. Two years ago I had to have a minor surgery that was completely unexpected. Everything worked out and I’m fine today. But, I think about that time and how grateful I am that we had health coverage. We never know what’s around the corner. All we can do is be as prepared as possible.

We found our plan on the marketplace several years ago. Since then, each November I reach out to my provider and ask for the details of next year’s plan. Then, I go online to the marketplace and compare plans that meet our needs. All plans and families’ needs are different. Needs can also change from year to year. That’s why it is important to research.

When searching for the right plan, here are a few things to keep in mind according to healthcare.gov. Generally, plans in categories with lower premiums pay less of your total costs. Categories with higher premiums usually pay more. All plans cover at least the same set of essential health benefits. Categories have nothing to do with care quality. For me, having coverage with the ‘phone-a-doctor’ benefit is important. If I can call a doctor and talk to them do determine if I need to make an appointment, I save myself time and money.

Essential Health Benefits Covered in All Marketplace Plans:

Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
Emergency services
Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)

Visit healthcare.gov to see the details and additional benefits.

TIP: Most people who enroll in coverage qualify for financial help. #GetCovered today and start enjoying the benefits of health care. Visit healthcare.gov

ACA Deadline – December 15

The deadline to enroll in a healthcare plan is December 15, 2019. This means that to ensure you and your family have coverage in 2020, you must enroll for insurance and pay for the first month’s premium by December 15, 2019.

There are three ways to get covered and meet the deadline: