With the rollout of the Affordable Care Acts open enrollment beginning today, local health care representatives are working to help Chester County residents navigate the new federal insurance marketplace amid fears that the new health care reform law itself presents problems.

Beginning Oct. 1, anyone without access to affordable health care can begin to apply to buy insurance through the federal marketplace. The marketplace will remain opened until March 31, 2014, and after that citizens can enroll only if affected by a major life event such as a job loss, birth, marriage or divorce.

Those on Medicare do not need to replace their coverage with insurance provided on the marketplace, according to the federal government.

Also, those who receive insurance through their employer may want to shop the marketplace to see their options, experts say, but likely they will receive better options through their plan at work.

Rather, the open enrollment will mostly affect those who are uninsured or under-insured, and local agencies indicate they want to help applicants navigate the new system.

According to Paula Sunshine, vice president for consumer sales and marketing for Independence Blue Cross, the insurer has been spending a lot of time preparing for the marketplace to open.

Weve been at this for a year and a half to prepare people, said Sunshine. Our primary goal is to make sure that people in the marketplace are educated.

According to Sunshine, Independence Blue Cross has named three things consumers should know for the start of open enrollment. The first, she said, is the timeline of the Affordable Care Act, which allows people to shop on the marketplace for six months, from Oct. 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014. Those wanting insurance coverage starting Jan. 1, 2014, must submit an application by Dec. 15.

The second priority, Sunshine said, is for consumers to understand what is going to be available under the plans in the marketplace. She said every carrier has the same basic layout and fit into four metallic tiers: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Premiums will be highest under the platinum plan, but will have the lowest out-of-pocket expenses. According to Sunshine, all of the plans will cover the same basic essential health benefits determined by the government including hospitalization, mental health care and maternity care services.

No matter what type of plan you pick, the benefits are all the same, said Sunshine. The difference is going to be premium costs and how much you actually pay when you go to access health care. Continued...

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Local agencies assisting Chesco residents with health care reform rollout