Understanding the Affordable Care Act

There is much confusion around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Here is some information to help you understand it a bit better.

The ACA is a law that guarantees everyone with minimum essential health care coverage. You can’t be denied ACA health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing health condition and you can’t be charged more for your plan because of it. 

It’s important to know what’s required under the ACA. Here’s what you need to know as you get started:

• Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov, which Kansas uses. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1; plans chosen December 16 – January 15 generally start February 1.
• In some instances, you can get tax credits to help you pay for your health insurance.

Most everyone needs to have health insurance

When you’re looking for health care coverage, check the health plans you’re considering to be sure it says it meets “ACA minimum essential coverage.”

There are several ways to buy health insurance:

• Your employer
• Health insurance companies
• Health Insurance Marketplaces 

Keep in mind

• Open enrollment is your time to buy health insurance.
• Open enrollment is a yearly time period set by the ACA. It’s your time to shop for individual health insurance and choose a plan for the coming year. There is no longer a federal tax penalty for going without coverage, and Kansas does not have its own.
• If you miss this window of time to purchase a plan, there are some exceptions called Qualifying Life Events that let you buy a plan during a Special Enrollment Period. 

In some instances, you can get tax credits to help you pay for your health insurance

Depending on your family situation and annual income, you may be able to get a tax credit to help offset your health insurance costs. You can visit Health Care to see if you qualify for a tax credit before you start buying your plan.