What Wisconsin Residents Need to Know About Obama Care (the Affordable Care Act or ACA)

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What Wisconsin Residents Need to Know About Obamacare

On this website, you'll find clear and accurate information about getting health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including:

• whether or not you must get health insurance
• what the available plans cover
• how much coverage will cost
• how to sign up for a plan, and
• how to get help if you need it.

To begin, keep in mind these key points about health insurance in Wisconsin:

1. Obamacare, officially known as the Affordable Care Act, has not been repealed.

The Affordable Care Act is still U.S. law. On May 4, 2017, House Republicans passed a bill to repeal and replace the ACA, called the American Health Care Act. That bill will become law only if the Senate also approves it. Unless and until that happens, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land.

2. You are legally required to have health insurance unless you qualify for an exemption.

The Affordable Care Act requires you to enroll in a health insurance plan unless you qualify for an exemption from the law. You must report whether you have coverage -- or whether you are exempt -- when you file your taxes in April.

To learn whether your current health plan satisfies the requirements of the Affordable Care Act or to find out whether you qualify for an exemption, see Do I Need to Get Obamacare in Wisconsin?

3. Open enrollment has ended for 2017, but you can still get health insurance if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

For 2017, open enrollment ended on January 31. This means that, unless you qualify for an exception, you can't obtain health insurance through HealthCare.gov until the 2018 open enrollment period begins in the fall of 2017.

To find out more, including ways you might still get covered, see What Happens If I Missed the Wisconsin Obamacare Enrollment Deadline for 2017?

4. You can shop for affordable health care plans at HealthCare.gov.

Residents of Wisconsin use the website HealthCare.gov to choose their health insurance plan, apply for cost-saving subsidies, and get other help they need.

If you are currently uninsured, you can use the state marketplace to compare plans and enroll in a plan that meets your needs. 

If you already have health insurance, you may be able to keep your current plan -- or you can use HealthCare.gov to shop for a new one.

To learn more about enrollment, see How Do I Sign Up for Obamacare in Wisconsin?

5. You may qualify for subsidies that will save you money.

Many people who sign up for insurance at the Wisconsin exchange will be eligible for cost savings. Savings are available in the form of tax credits to help you lower your premiums or reduce your out-of-pocket costs for care.

If your income is very low, you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid in Wisconsin.

For more information, see Ways to Save Money on Obamacare in Wisconsin.

For an overview of how much health care plans cost under Obamacare, see How Much Does Obamacare Cost in Wisconsin?

You may also be interested in:

• How Much Does Obamacare Cost in Wisconsin?

  Learn the five factors that determine what Wisconsin residents will pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

• Do I Have to Get Obamacare in Wisconsin?

  Learn which Wisconsin residents must have health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) and find out about the penalty you'll pay if you don't have a qualifying health plan.

• How Do I Sign Up for Obamacare in Wisconsin?

  Learn where Wisconsin residents should go to get health plans under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and how to get help with the application process.