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Why do young people need Obamacare?

Starting on October 1 and through March, Americans will be able to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplaces for the first time. For the elderly and sick, this is a rare opportunity to gain quality and affordable coverage that may not have been available to them before. But Obamacare also offers a number of important benefits to those who are young, healthy and think they are invincible.

One of the immediate impacts of the Affordable Care Act a.k.a. as Obamacare was that it allowed young people to stay on their parent’s plan until they are 26. Before, young college graduates were leaving school and discovering that their health coverage ended as soon as they walked out of their academic institution. This means that young people can join or remain on a plan even if they are:

  • married
  • not living with their parents
  • attending school
  • not financially dependent on their parents
  • eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan
     

Also, as of January 1, 2013, young women who are on birth control noticed that their monthly bills dropped a little bit—Obamacare ensures that your healthcare provider has to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives, free of charge

But the most critical thing young people need to keep in mind is that they will need health insurance—and investing in quality coverage now will protect you from the financial risks of a catastrophic accident or unexpected health crisis. An average hospital stay can cost around $10,000/day—a price that not many 20-somethings can afford to pay.

A recent report from HHS found that, through the Marketplace, most Americans will pay less than $100 per month in premiums and will start as soon as January 1, 2014. You can also qualify for income-based tax credits that will help you save money on your premiums; you can find out how much your premiums might cost here.

Americans under 30 can also enroll in “catastrophic” health plans that will help protect you in case of unexpected health costs—costs that can be astronomical and have the potential to ruin your financial future. These plans only cover you in extreme cases, so you’ll still be accountable for the everyday health expenses that a comprehensive, quality plan would cover.

Starting this Tuesday, October 1, you’ll be able to visit healthcare.gov and calculate what tax credits you’ll qualify for—and choose from a variety of different plans that will fit your unique health needs. Starting in mid-October, the online enrolling tools will be available at CuidadoDeSalud.gov. You can visit CuidadoDeSalud.gov right now to get more information on how to prepare for enrollment or call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance in Spanish.

During the week of October 21st through October 28th the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services along with community partners will hold a National Hispanic Week of Action to educate, engage, and enroll Latinos in the Health Insurance Marketplaces. For updates on the National Hispanic Week of Action follow us on Twitter at @LaCasaBlanca, @CuidadoDeSalud, @HHSLatino and use the hashtags #OurSalud and @SaludHWA (Hispanic Week of Action) to join the conversation. 

Why do young people need Obamacare?

By: Director of Hispanic Media Katherine Vargas

Starting on October 1 and through March, Americans will be able to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplaces for the first time. For the elderly and sick, this is a rare opportunity to gain quality and affordable coverage that may not have been available to them before. But Obamacare also offers a number of important benefits to those who are young, healthy and think they are invincible.

One of the immediate impacts of the Affordable Care Act a.k.a. as Obamacare was that it allowed young people to stay on their parent’s plan until they are 26. Before, young college graduates were leaving school and discovering that their health coverage as soon as they walked out of their academic institution. This means that young people can join or remain on a plan even if they are:

  • married
  • not living with their parents
  • attending school
  • not financially dependent on their parents
  • eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan
     

Also, as of January 1, 2013, young women who are on birth control noticed that their monthly bills dropped a little bit—Obamacare ensures that your healthcare provider has to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives, free of charge

But the most critical thing young people need to keep in mind is that they will need health insurance—and investing in quality coverage now will protect you from the financial risks of a catastrophic accident or unexpected health crisis. An average hospital stay can cost around $10,000/day—a price that not many 20-somethings can afford to pay.

A recent report from HHS found that, through the Marketplace, most Americans will pay less than $100 per month in premiums and will start as soon as January 1, 2014. You can also qualify for income-based tax credits that will help you save money on your premiums; you can find out how much your premiums might cost here.

Americans under 30 can also enroll in “catastrophic” health plans that will help protect you in case of unexpected health costs—costs that can be astronomical and have the potential to ruin your financial future. These plans only cover you in extreme cases, so you’ll still be accountable for the everyday health expenses that a comprehensive, quality plan would cover.

Starting this Tuesday, October 1, you’ll be able to visit healthcare.gov and calculate what tax credits you’ll qualify for—and choose from a variety of different plans that will fit your unique health needs. Starting in mid-October, the online enrolling tools will be available at CuidadoDeSalud.gov. You can visit CuidadoDeSalud.gov right now to get more information on how to prepare for enrollment or call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance in Spanish.

During the week of October 21st through October 28th the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services along with community partners will hold a National Hispanic Week of Action to educate, engage, and enroll Latinos in the Health Insurance Marketplaces. For updates on the National Hispanic Week of Action follow us on Twitter at @LaCasaBlanca, @CuidadoDeSalud, @HHSLatino and use the hashtags #OurSalud and @SaludHWA (Hispanic Week of Action) to join the conversation. 

 Katherine Vargas is the Director of HIspanic Media