What You Need to Know About Obamacare for 2020
by Shae IrvingA little confused about what's going on with the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare? Here are answers to common questions, including:
- whether or not you must buy health insurance
- upcoming open enrollment dates for your state
- what available plans cover
- how much you'll need to pay for coverage, and
- how to sign up.
Here are some basics to keep in mind:
Obamacare has not been struck down or repealed. A federal judge in Texas ruled that the ACA is unconstitutional, but there most likely won't be a final decision on the matter until the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has already considered and upheld the law more than once.
You won’t face a tax penalty for going without health insurance in 2020—but there are many other downsides to being uninsured. If you don’t have health insurance coverage in 2020, you won’t have to pay a penalty when you file your taxes in 2021. That said, think carefully about whether it makes sense to forego insurance. A medical crisis could knock the financial wind from your sails and do more damage than the penalty would. And if you miss open enrollment and find yourself needing coverage mid-year, you’ll probably have to wait until 2021 to get it.
You can shop for a plan online. You can use an online health insurance exchange to choose a plan, apply for cost-saving subsidies, and get other help.
You may qualify for a subsidy. Many people are eligible for tax credits that will lower monthly premiums. If your income is very low, you may qualify for Medicaid and get free or very low-cost coverage.
For local details, choose your state from the list on this page.
You may also be interested in:
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How to Sign Up for Obamacare
Where to go in your state to get health plans under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and how to get help with the application process.
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Do You Have to Get Health Insurance?
Learn whether you must have health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in your state.
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How Much Does Obamacare Cost?
Learn the five factors that determine what residents of your state will pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act
