The intent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to expand health insurance coverage to all Americans. The ACA aims to: improve the quality of coverage; expand Medicaid coverage; create a Health Insurance Marketplace where individuals and businesses can shop for private health insurance coverage; prohibit insurance companies from denying, canceling, or charging more for insurance policies because a person is sick or has a pre-existing health condition; and strengthen Medicare.

The Department of Insurance has compiled the following information and links to help educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities related to changes in federal health care laws due to the Affordable Care Act.

Choose Health Delaware : ChooseHealthDE.com is your official resource for finding out how the healthcare reform law can benefit you as a Delaware resident or business owner. Choose Health Delaware will also introduce you to the Health Insurance Marketplace and explain why health insurance is important for everyone.

Healthcare.gov Healthcare.gov is the official website for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit Healthcare.gov to see your plan options and enroll in a plan. 8 out of 10 Delawareans who qualify for coverage through the Marketplace qualify for some level of financial assistance to help pay for monthly premiums.

Links:

• Special Enrollment Periods for Complex Issues
• Getting Health Coverage Outside of Open Enrollment
• Certified Producers for the Marketplace
• Healthcare.gov Rate Review
• Preventive Care Benefits for Children
• Preventive Care Benefits for Adults
• Preventive Care Benefits for Women
• Glossary of Health Insurance Industry Words and Terms from Healthcare.gov
•  www.dol.gov – The Employee Benefits Security Administration is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor whose mission is “to assure the security of the retirement, health and other workplace related benefits of America’s workers and their families.” On this website you will find many topics relating to the Affordable Care Act regulations and guidance.
• www.medicaid.gov – A federal government managed website by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For those who are receiving Medicaid, this website provides information on how the Affordable Care Act expands coverage.
• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation – The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is “a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., as well as the U.S. role in global health policy.” This website features a Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator, a health reform quiz and answers to common health reform questions.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – CMS administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health care to almost one in every three Americans. CMS also administers the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Taxes and Fees Related to the Affordable Care Act

All questions regarding taxes and fees related to the ACA should be directed to a qualified tax professional. The Delaware Department of Insurance cannot give advice on tax-related issues.

• ACA Tax Provisions: IRS.gov
  http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act
• Fees & exemptions overview: Healthcare.gov
  https://www.healthcare.gov/fees-exemptions/fees-exemptions-overview/