HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS

The NebraskaHealth+ centers have Certified Application Counselors on staff that can offer free assistance with your application and also educate you about financial assistance options. We personally work with you to inform you about the best options for your budget, your health and your future.

Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace connects Nebraskans to affordable, quality health insurance plans and provides financial assistance to those who are eligible. www.healthcare.gov

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is now open!  Open Enrollment runs from November 1st-December 15th.  If you are in need of coverage, contact a Certified Application Counselor today to see what plans are right for you!

Election Questions?

The recent election has raised a lot of questions about the future of healthcare in this country. You may be asking yourself “Do I still need health insurance?”

The answer is “YES!” What remains constant and true is that it is important to protect the health and financial future of you and your family. Broken bones, disease and other chronic conditions aren’t political, but can happen at any time. And, in some cases, are preventable if you have access to care and health insurance. Join the thousands of Nebraskans who already signed up for 2017 health insurance and, if you qualify, take advantage of the financial assistance to help you afford coverage.

Rest assured plans cannot be canceled mid-year, regardless of federal changes, as long as you continue to make your monthly payments.  We are here to help. Please contact a Certified Application Counselor to answer any of your questions.

Nebraska Medicaid

Medicaid provides health services to certain low income persons including those who are aged, blind, disabled, children aged 18 and younger, pregnant women and others.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP extends Medicaid health services to children, age 18 and younger in working families.

599 CHIP

Unborn children of pregnant women that are residents of Nebraska and are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid may be covered. Coverage is limited to prenatal care and pregnancy-related services.

Former Foster Care youth

Former Foster Care youth may be eligible for Medicaid through age 26 if they meet the following requirements:

1. Be under the age of 26;
2. Have been a Medicaid recipient at age 18 or 19;
3. Were in foster care under Nebraska or a Nebraska tribe’s responsibility at age 18 or 19; and
4. Not be eligible for or enrolled in mandatory Medicaid coverage through another Medicaid eligibility category (including parent/caretaker relatives, pregnant women, children, or Aid to the AABD/MA)

Key services for Health Insurance are:

• Hospital Services
• Doctor Visits
• Prescription drugs
• Limited vision and dental care
• Pregnancy-related services
• Vaccinations
• Behavioral Health Services

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on the program, household size and how much money you make (household income)

Requirements could include one of the following:

• You are under 19 years old
• You are pregnant
• You became disabled within the past 2 years
• You are the parent of the a child under 19 years old
• You are a citizen or lawfully present in the United States

To apply for Nebraska Medicaid, CHIP, 599 CHIP or Foster Care Medicaid, you may either fill out an application online by visiting ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov or you may call one of our NebraskaHealth+ centers and they can help you through the application process.

Be prepared to bring the listed items to the appointment:

• Social Security Cards
• Birth Certificates
• Driver’s License
• Bank Statements
• Pay stubs from the past 30 days
• Additional information may be requested

Have questions? Contact one of our health+ centers now for a FREE appointment to see if you qualify for low cost health coverage!

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN NEBRASKA

Our NebraskaHealth+ centers can connect you to programs that can help with food, child-care, emergencies and cash to meet your immediate needs.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a nutrition program that helps low income Nebraska families buy food.

Child Care Subsidy

Helps cover the cost of child care for low income families or those parents who cannot take care of their children because of an illness or disability.

Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)

Families with children can receive money, job training, and education opportunities. Money can be used for things like rent, utilities, food and clothing.

Eligibility Requirements

Each program is different and eligibility depends on the following things:

• How much money you make
• How many people are in your household
• If you are a U.S. citizen
• How much money you have in your bank account, property, or other “assets”

RESOURCES AND LINKS

Health Insurance Marketplace

Create an account with HealthCare.gov to apply for and enroll in health insurance for you and your family. Open Enrollment for 2017 is Nov. 1st, 2016-Jan. 31st, 2017.

ACCESSNebraska

Official Nebraska Government website to determine if you qualify for any programs and submit an application.

Enroll Nebraska

Enroll Nebraska is a statewide network of community organizations, enrollment assisters, health care providers and advocacy groups working to promote enrollment in health insurance throughout Nebraska. We help coordinate outreach and enrollment activities by ensuring organizations have the resources they need to help their community members access quality, affordable health insurance. We also help organizations connect and collaborate to maximize their impact.

Do you qualify for health coverage savings?

Income levels that qualify for health coverage savings Tool: https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/

Glossary

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) gives you an alphabetical and searchable list of word and terms related to health insurance and Health Care Reform.

Health Reform FAQs

The Kaiser Family Foundation answers frequently asked questions about Health Care Reform.

Healthfinder.gov (English)  Healthfinder.gov (Spanish)

This site from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) gives you information to help you and your loved ones stay healthy.

Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator

Notes

The Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator is based on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as signed into law in 2010, and subsequent regulations issued by Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Premiums displayed in the calculator’s results are based on actual exchange premiums in 2015 dollars. Premiums were obtained through a review of insurer rate filings to state regulators as well as data published by HHS. The silver premium is the second-lowest cost silver premium available in the rating area of the entered zip code and the bronze premium is the lowest-cost bronze plan in the rating area of the entered zip code. Not all plans are available in all parts of the rating area, so actual premiums may vary depending on plan availability.

The premium is adjusted for family size and age of the user. Premiums in the calculator vary by age within the three to one limit specified in the law, using age factors from proposed regulations issued by HHS (or, state specific age factors where states have adopted them). The calculator does not display a tobacco surcharge. However, in most states, insurers can charge a tobacco surcharge of up to 50% of your total premium, and tax credits do not apply to the surcharge. Actual tobacco surcharges will vary by plan and some states do not permit insurers to vary premiums by tobacco status.