Oct. 31--Illinois uses the federal online insurance marketplace to let residents who do not receive health insurance through their jobs buy coverage. With open enrollment starting Sunday on Healthcare.gov here are five things you should know:
--If you take no action you will be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan. But Barbara Otto of Chicago-based Health Disability Advocates encourages consumers to go online because plans have changed and new ones are available.
--Otto advises consumers to ask themselves three things if they are considering the same plan they had in 2015. Is the network of doctors and hospitals the same? Can you still buy the prescription drugs you take at the same pharmacy? Are copays for drugs, specialists and alternative services such as physical therapy the same as 2015?
--The enrollment website has a new feature called the "out-of-pocket" calculator that will show shoppers what various health plans will cost them in deductibles, copays and monthly premiums.
--The annual fee for not having insurance in 2016 is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child (up to $2,085 for a family), or it's 2.5 percent of your household income above the tax return filing threshold for your filing status -- whichever is greater.
--Consumers will have until Jan. 31 to enroll, but if you want your coverage to start or renew on Jan. 1, you have to sign up by Dec. 15.
asachdev@tribpub.com
