Buying Insurance Via Obamacare? Beware the Narrow Network

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Image Not Available

Still don’t have health insurance? Time is running out. The deadline to sign up for health insurance is just days away.

If you’re still searching for coverage, take heed of the following:

Limited network

Many health insurance plans sold on the Obamacare exchanges swap lower premiums for a narrow provider network. Be aware of this when you’re signing up for coverage, because going out-of-network could come at a cost, Kaiser Health News says.

These may include: separate out-of-pocket maximum costs for out-of-network services, potential charges for preventive care services that are free under your network plan, and higher co-payments.

Deadline and penalties

You have until March 31 to enroll and pay for a plan or face a potential penalty of $95 or 1 percent of your income, whichever is higher. The penalty will be assessed on next year’s tax return. The penalty for uninsured children, under age 18, is $47.50, with a maximum penalty of $285 per family.

The only way you can sign up for individual health insurance after March 31 is if you have a qualifying life event, like moving out of state, changing jobs or having a baby.

Off-exchange plans

Only those who use the online government marketplaces to buy insurance are eligible for a subsidy, in the form of a tax credit, to help them afford the premiums. But if you make too much money to qualify for a subsidy, you might want to consider purchasing a health insurance plan from a certified insurance website or use a certified insurance broker to help find a custom plan for you.

This leaves you with greater flexibility in choosing your health insurance and the possibility of a broader provider network. But you still need to enroll by March 31.

Changes are slated for Obamacare in 2015. The Obama administration is ordering the insurance marketplaces to “include a more robust offering of care providers in 2015,” The Washington Post said. Health plans offered on the government marketplaces next year will be required to include 30 percent of area “essential community providers,” like health centers and hospitals that serve mainly low-income patients. The 2014 requirement was 20 percent.

Are you covered by Obamacare? We’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences below or on our Facebook page.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.