The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a law established in 2010 to reform the American healthcare system. Its primary goal is to make it easier for any American to receive affordable, high-quality healthcare.

There are many facets of the ACA that have shaped our healthcare system to this day. Insurance providers are required to cover certain essential health benefits and expand certain eligibilities for the public.

In many cases, these changes gave people more options for their healthcare. But as a result, it can be more confusing to compare all these choices and pick the best plan. That’s where Instant comes in. We’ll identify your most important healthcare priorities and present you with ACA healthcare plans to fit your budget.

Under the ACA, there is an open enrollment period from November 1 to January 15. Anyone eligible can enroll for new coverage on the health insurance marketplace during this window.

However, you can also sign up for new ACA healthcare plans whenever you experience a qualifying life event. There are many different kinds of qualifying events, including gaining or losing a job, getting married, or having a baby. We’ll help you determine your eligibility if need be so you enroll in a plan at the right time.

There are a few requirements to be eligible for ACA coverage. First, you must be a legal US resident. In addition, you need to be a US citizen or national, or a lawfully present non-citizen within the United States. Finally, you cannot currently be incarcerated.

If you meet these criteria, you could be eligible for an ACA plan. Discover your plan options with our Find My Plan tool today!

It’s always a good idea to have some form of health insurance to account for unforeseen health issues, but there is no federal penalty for being uninsured. For many years after the ACA went into effect, most people would have to pay a tax penalty if they were uninsured. But this penalty went away in 2018.

Now the decision is up to the states to determine if there is a penalty for going uninsured. If you’re interested in learning more, let us know how we can help.

ACA healthcare plans are among the most common policy types for our clients. But they aren’t the only option for your healthcare.

Health share plans are organizations that provide healthcare for members of specific groups.

If you join a health share program, you’ll pay a monthly contribution, similar to a premium. In exchange, you can pull from these pooled funds to cover medical costs. Health share programs offer a flexible, affordable healthcare option for eligible members. It’s important to keep in mind that these programs are not health insurance.

Another option may be a short-term health plan. These plans aren’t as versatile as most ACA plans. Yet, in certain situations, they may be a great option for you.

As it sounds, short-term plans offer health insurance over a short period—usually on the scale of a few months. Short-term insurance may cover a variety of services.

These alternatives to ACA healthcare plans have their own advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately, Instant Health can help you navigate the intricacies of each option.