Understanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Have you ever heard of the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare, and wondered what it was? You’re not alone. The Affordable Care Act, or ACA for short, is a comprehensive reform law enacted in 2010, that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market. Before ACA, 16% of all Americans had no health insurance, which is a lot of people. As of 2022, that number has been slashed in half as only 8% of American lack health insurance, an all-time low. Through the ACA, about 20 million Americans have gained health insurance, and you could be one of them.

What Does the ACA Do?

You now know that the ACA helps more Americans get insured, but what does it do, you may wonder? Simply put, the ACA allows people who may have been uninsured due to preexisting conditions, limited finances, or employment status to secure affordable health plans through the health insurance marketplace in their state.

The ACA requires most insurance plans, including those sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace, to cover a list of preventive services, at no cost to policyholders, including patient counseling, immunizations, checkups, and numerous health screenings. All ACA-compliant health insurance plans must cover specific "essential health benefits,” such as emergency services, family planning, maternity care, hospitalization, prescription medications, mental health services, and pediatric care.

Get ACA Today

Overall, the purpose of the ACA is to help people under the age of 65 who live in households without access to employer-group insurance. There are also subsidies, or premium tax credits, to offset the cost of monthly premiums. This way, more households can have much-needed health insurance coverage through the health insurance marketplace in their state.

Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP) offers individuals and families affordable HMO plans with high-quality, comprehensive benefits. Call us today at 855-462-3427 to speak to a local, experienced representative to help you find the right solution for you and your family. You can enroll in an FHCP 2023 Marketplace health plan from November 1 through December 15, 2022, for coverage that starts January 1, 2023.

About Florida Health Care Plans

Florida Health Care Plans serves our community with over 9,000 local health care providers in Flagler, Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, and St. Johns counties. Our Care Centers are designed with convenience and comfort in mind, whether you are visiting your family doctor, getting an X-ray, or utilizing our cost-effective, members-only pharmacies.