ACA Success Story in Southern Illinois

Laura Olmsted, a Certified Application Counselor (CAC), from Shawnee Health Services, had the great pleasure of helping Bill*, a 53 year old from Marion, Illinois, understand what the Affordable Care Act is all about.

Bill is a hardworking self-employed contractor -- making $23,000/year -- who works independent construction jobs, and has not been able to afford health insurance. However, health insurance is something that Bill desperately requires. In the past year and a half, he has suffered not one, but three heart attacks and a broken femur. Mounting medical bills are causing him incredible financial burden, and preventing him from accessing care that he needs.

Luckily, Bill recently met Laura, who helped him to complete an application on Healthcare.gov once he went through the Get Covered Illinois screener. Bill received great news: not only was he eligible for insurance, but he had options, ranging from the low end of paying nothing for a Bronze level or lower end Silver plan, to only $180 per month for a high-end Silver plan after the premium tax credit was factored in.

Laura’s client considered his choices and selected a Silver Multi-State plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois where he pays only pocket change - $4.53 per month - for his premium. The plan has a $250 deductible and an out of pocket max of only $2,000 per year. Bill plans to pay for the premiums up front since the price was so affordable.

Should Bill have looked into buying health insurance prior to the enactment of Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act), he would have encountered a very different situation:

• No certified enrollment specialist would have helped him find and understand his health insurance options;
• Unless he was connected with an insurance broker, Bill would have had to shop for plans on his own, rather than being able to compare them all in one place;
• No tax credits or subsidies would be available to help him afford his premium;
• Bill may have been denied coverage based upon pre-existing conditions; and
• If Bill did find coverage, prior to Oct. 1 of this year, he likely would have found a plan with higher premiums and without the requisite 10 essential health benefits like the qualified health plan that he recently purchased.

Because of his new options through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, Bill will now be able to receive the health care necessary to get well, and continue living a healthy, productive life in Illinois.
 
(*Bill is a fictional name to protect the client's anonymity)