New HHS Report Reveals Over 60 plans, Affordable Coverage Under ACA
Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, distributed the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Service’s (HHS) report released today showing Virginians will have access to an average of 47 qualified health plans in the new Health Insurance Marketplace established through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly referred to as Obamacare. “Today’s report affirms what many of us have known – on October 1st Virginians will be able to secure better, more affordable health coverage through the Affordable Care Act than ever before,” said Rep. Moran. “No matter what games the Tea Party plays this week, in six days millions of Americans can choose affordable care plans for no more than their cable bill.”
The HHS analysis finds that individuals in Northern Virginia will have 63 qualified health plan choices. Plans in the Marketplace will be categorized as either “gold,” “silver,” or “bronze.” Young adults will also have the option of purchasing a “catastrophic” plan, increasing their number of choices. In Virginia, the average premium for the lowest-cost silver plan will be $323 and the lowest cost bronze plan will be $237 before tax credits. The report shows that a 27-year old living in Virginia who makes $25,000 per year will pay $80 per month for the lowest cost bronze plan and $145 per month for the second lowest cost silver plan, taking into account tax credits. For a family of four in Virginia with an income of $50,000 per year, the lowest bronze plan would cost only $48 per month.
Consumers can get help finding Marketplace coverage through a number of different resources. They can get more information through HealthCare.gov, or cuidadodesalud.gov. They can participate in an online web chat, or call 1-800-318-2596 toll free (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to speak with a trained customer service representative. Virginia’s Health Insurance Marketplace will open October 1, 2013.