About the 

Health Insurance Marketplace 

7 things you can do to get ready now 

1.	 Learn about different types of health insurance. Through 

the Marketplace, you’ll be able to choose a health plan that 

gives you the right balance of costs and coverage. 

2.	 Make a list of questions you have before it’s time to 

choose your health plan. For example, “Can I stay with my 

current doctor?” or “Will this plan cover my health costs 

when I’m traveling?” 

3.	 Make sure you understand how insurance works, including 

deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, copayments, etc. You’ll 

want to consider these details while you’re shopping around. 

Visit www.HealthCare.gov to learn more about how insurance 

works. 

4.	 Start gathering basic information about your household 

income. Most people will qualify to get a break on costs, and 

you’ll need income information to find out how much you’re 

eligible for. 

5.	 Set your budget. There will be different types of health plans 

to meet a variety of needs and budgets, and breaking them 

down by cost can help narrow your choices. 

6.	 Find out from your employer whether they plan to offer 

health insurance, especially if you work for a small business. 

7.	 Explore current options. You may be able to get help with 

insurance now, through existing programs or changes that 

are in effect already from the new health care law. Visit 

www.HealthCare.gov for information about health insurance 

for adults up to age 26, children in families with limited 

incomes (CHIP), and Medicare for people who are over 65 or 

have disabilities. 

Visit www.HealthCare.gov to learn more about the 

Marketplace. 

Scan for More Information 

CMS Product No. 11629-AN 
Better health insurance choices 

When key parts of the health care law take effect in 2014, there’ll 

be a new way to buy health insurance: the Health Insurance 

Marketplace. The Marketplace is designed to help you find health 

insurance that fits your budget, with less hassle. 

Every health insurance plan in the new Marketplace will offer 

comprehensive coverage, from doctors to medications to hospital 

visits. You can compare all your insurance options based on price, 

benefits, quality, and other features that may be important to you, 

in plain language that makes sense. 

You’ll know you’re getting a quality health plan at a reasonable 

price, because there’s nothing buried in the fine print. 

Insurance plans run by private companies 

When you shop at the Marketplace, everything you need is laid 

out for you. All your costs are stated up front, so you’ll get a clear 

picture of what you’re paying and what you’re getting before you 

make a choice. 

Under the health care law, there will also be new protections for 

you and your family. Health insurance companies can’t refuse to 

cover you or charge you more just because you have a chronic or 

pre-existing condition, and they can’t charge more for women than 

for men. 

Watch for more information in October 2013 

Starting on October 1st, you’ll be able to get information about all 

the plans available in your area. You’ll be able to enroll yourself and 

your family, directly through the website, or call a toll-free phone 

hotline. 

If you’re having difficulty finding a plan that meets your needs 

and budget, there’ll be people available to give you personalized 

help with your choices. These helpers aren’t associated with any 

particular plan, and they aren’t on any type of commission, so the 

help they give you will be completely unbiased. 

Coverage via the Marketplace starts in January 2014. 

Marketplace 

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