Platinum is lowest deductible and highest premium, bronze lowest premium and highest deductible. Several private insurance companies will offer the various plans to the individual. Inquiries about specific plan coverage or premiums to be paid are made directly to the private insurance company. The person should select a plan based on their needs, and the network of doctors, services, and hospitals offered and not the lowest premium. Based on household income and family size, many people are expected to qualify for tax credits. If a person qualifies for a government sponsored plan like Medicaid or Chips, those will also be offered to the individual as an insurance plan option.

The “essential health benefits” offered by the Affordable Care Act includes prescription drugs, lab work and blood tests, preventive services like counseling, screenings, and vaccines, doctor and clinic visits, emergency services, overnight stays in the hospital, prenatal, maternity and pediatric services (including kids dental and vision), habilitative and rehabilitative services for persons with disabilities and chronic conditions, and mental health and substance use disorder services.

Persons offered insurance coverage through their employer can shop the health insurance marketplace in search of a plan which might be deemed as a more “affordable” plan. Open enrollment dates are October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. “Exemptions” from health insurance coverage are available for those that qualify. All of this information is available on the healthcare.gov website.