Health Insurance & Medicare

Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government for individuals, families and small businesses to:

• Compare health insurance plans for coverage and availability
• Enroll in or change a health insurance plan
• Find out about tax credits for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Get answers to questions about health care insurance

The Marketplace is available online at: HealthCare.gov. You can also contact the Health Insurance Marketplace by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-318-2596.

What the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Is

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to as the Affordable Care Act, or ACA for short, was enacted in March 2010 and has three primary goals:

1. Make affordable health insurance available to more people
2. Expand the Medicaid program
3. Support changes in how health care is delivered to control costs

Patient Financial Counselors

UnityPoint Health Patient Financial Counselors are Certified Application Counselors (CAC) who offer free services to help patients understand and manage financial challenges related to their care.

At any time during the year, our financial counselors can provide:

• Guidance on the UnityPoint Health Financial Assistance Program
• Assistance with Medicaid or CHIP eligibility and applications
• General education on Marketplace coverage including
• Plan categories and benefits
• Enrollment process
• Preparing for the next Open Enrollment period
• Advance premium tax credit qualifications to reduce the cost of insurance

During Open Enrollment, or when a patient qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying life event (such as loss of coverage, marriage, or birth), our financial counselors can provide the above as well as:

• Assistance in completing and submitting Marketplace applications
• Assistance with enrollment

To speak with a UnityPoint Health Financial Counselor, please call the number listed here for your location.

Medicare and the Affordable Care Act

Your Medicare coverage is protected

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare is not part of the Health Insurance Marketplace established by the ACA, so you don't have to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage. No matter how you get Medicare, whether through traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you'll still have the same benefits and security you have now.

Beware of Fraud

If you’re enrolled in Medicare and receive a call stating you need to enroll in the Marketplace, it may be fraud.

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment occurs yearly from October 15 – December 7. This is the annual period during which Medicare plan enrollees can reevaluate their coverage — whether it's original Medicare with drug coverage, or Medicare Advantage — and make changes if they’d like. Changes go into effect on January 1.

Choosing a Medicare Plan

If you need help choosing a Medicare plan, or have questions, there are free resources available to you:

• Visit Medicare.gov
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Let Us Help

UnityPoint Health has partnered with Chapter, an independent Medicare advisor to offer free Medicare guidance and support. Chapter will review your coverage and help you find a Medicare plan available in your area that:

• Ensures your UnityPoint Health care team is in-network
• Covers your prescriptions
• Works for your care needs and budget

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

The purpose of SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) is to provide free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), Medicare supplement plans and other supplemental insurance, billing and claims issues, Medicare fraud and abuse.