Available Options
Marketplace
Also known as the health insurance exchange, the health insurance marketplace is where consumers in the United States can purchase Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant individual/family health insurance plans and receive income-based subsidies, where applicable, to make coverage and care more affordable.
Formerly called the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange, kynect is the health insurance marketplace in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, created in accordance with the ACA.
Insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to many individuals with low incomes, children, pregnant women, older people, and people with disabilities. The majority of states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. Whether you qualify for Medicaid coverage depends partly on whether your state has expanded its program. Medicaid benefits and program names vary somewhat between states.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
- People who are 65 or older
- Certain younger people with disabilities
- People with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)
Employer-Sponsored Plans
Health insurance offered to employees and their families as a benefit of employment. Employers typically pay some or all of the premium costs. Employer-sponsored plans are not eligible for subsidies or premium tax credits.
VA health care is available for eligible veterans who have served in the active military, naval, or air service.
TRICARE is the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members, active duty family members, National Guard and Reserve members and their families, retirees, retiree family members, survivors, and certain former spouses.
TERMS TO KNOW
Qualifying Life Event
An event that triggers a special enrollment period for an individual or family to purchase health insurance outside of the regular annual open enrollment period. Qualifying life events include:
- Loss of health coverage
- Changes in household
- Changes in residence
- Changes in income that affect coverage you qualify for
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Leaving incarceration
Open Enrollment
The annual period when individuals can enroll, renew, change, or cancel their health insurance. Missing an open enrollment period can put you at risk for being without health coverage for a full year until the next annual open enrollment period.
Annual Open Enrollment Dates
kynect: November 1 - January 15
Medicare: October 15 - December 7
Ten Essential Benefits Covered By The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
These are included in Marketplace/kynect plans. Some may be available to you at no cost.
Preventative and Wellness Services
Prescription Drugs
Maternity Care
Pediatric Services
Laboratory Services
Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment
Hospitalization
Emergency Services
Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services
Ambulatory Services
Obtaining and paying for health care in the United States often causes individuals and families distress, worry, and financial instability. Our Health Care Coverage Educational Materials can help take the mystery and pain out of health care coverage.
Why is Getting Health Care in the U.S. So Complicated?
Unlike other developed nations, we don’t have a system of universal coverage, where everyone has health insurance from birth to death. Providing health care for everyone is no different than providing public libraries, a police force, or a fire department.
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These materials were supported by funds made available by the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Office of Population Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, under RFA-OT21-2103.
The contents of these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or endorsement by the Kentucky Department for Public Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.