This is a shorter enrollment period than previous years, so it’s important to act quickly. If you don’t act by December 15, you can’t get 2018 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018.
– November 1, 2017: Open Enrollment started — first day to enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2018 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace
– December 15, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change plans for 2018 coverage. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
– January 1, 2018: 2018 coverage starts, if premium paid
Essential Health Benefits
A set of 10 categories of services health insurance plans must cover under the Affordable Care Act. These include doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health services, and more. Some plans cover more services.
Plans must offer dental coverage for children. Dental benefits for adults are optional.
Specific services may vary based on your state’s requirements. You’ll see exactly what each plan offers when you compare plans.
Pre-Existing Condition
A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can’t refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.
Preventive care benefits for adults
All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services without charging you a copayment or coinsurance. This is true even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.
IMPORTANT – These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network.
1) Abdominal aortic aneurysm one-time screening for men of specified ages who have ever smoked
2) Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
3) Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease for men and women of certain ages
4) Blood pressure screening
5) Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk
6) Colorectal cancer screening for adults over 50
7) Depression screening
8) Diabetes (Type 2) screening for adults with high blood pressure
9) Diet counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease
10) Hepatitis B screening for people at high risk, including people from countries with 2% or more Hepatitis B prevalence, and U.S.-born people not vaccinated as infants and with at least one parent born in a region with 8% or more Hepatitis B prevalence.
11) Hepatitis C screening for adults at increased risk, and one time for everyone born 1945 – 1965
12) HIV screening for everyone ages 15 to 65, and other ages at increased risk
13) Immunization vaccines for adults — doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Herpes Zoster
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Influenza (flu shot)
- Measles
- Meningococcal
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Pneumococcal
- Rubella
- Tetanus
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
14) Lung cancer screening for adults 55 – 80 at high risk for lung cancer because they’re heavy smokers or have quit in the past 15 years
15) Obesity screening and counseling
16) Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling for adults at higher risk
17) Syphilis screening for adults at higher risk
18) Tobacco Use screening for all adults and cessation interventions for tobacco users