CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The second enrollment season for HealthCare.gov, the website for health insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care law, starts Nov. 15 and runs through Feb. 15. Coverage begins as early as Jan. 1, 2015, for those who sign up by Dec. 15.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 6 million more people will sign up for next year, bringing the total to about 13 million.
Here are five things to know about the health overhaul law and enrollment in New Hampshire:
THE HISTORY:
New Hampshire opted not to set up its own online insurance marketplace under the overhaul law and is partnering with the federal government to educate consumers and manage the health plans being offered.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield was the only company that offered health plans through the marketplace during the initial six-month enrollment period that ended March 31, and it was criticized for its narrow provider network that excluded some hospitals.
More than 40,000 New Hampshire residents selected health plans during the first enrollment period, more than twice the target set by the Obama administration. About 22,000 were previously uninsured, according to Covering New Hampshire, the organization that provides information about the Affordable Care Act in the state.
___
THE COMPANIES:
Five companies will be offering health plans for individuals and families: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Assurant, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Maine Community Health Options and Minuteman Health. All but Assurant also will offer plans for small businesses through the Small Business Health Options Program, also called SHOP.
Dental plans for individuals will be available from Anthem, Delta Dental and Renaissance Dental. Those three companies, along with eight others, will offer dental plans for small businesses.
___
THE PLANS:
Individuals will have 40 plans to choose from, while small businesses will have 21, according to Covering New Hampshire.
So far, three of the five companies selling 2015 policies have released estimated premiums. For comparison purposes, the premium for a 40-year-old non-smoker buying a “silver” plan, the most popular type, is estimated to range from $270 per month to $288 per month. Premiums vary based on the individual, deductible amounts and copayments.
___
THE NETWORKS:
For 2014, Anthem’s network included 10 of the state’s 26 hospitals. For 2015, each hospital will be included in at least two provider networks, nearly half will be in four networks, and seven hospitals will be in all five networks.
Frisbie Memorial Hospital, which unsuccessfully challenged its exclusion from Anthem’s network, will be in four networks in 2015.
___
HOW TO ENROLL:
Consumers purchasing new plans or renewing their 2014 plans can go to healthcare.gov or call the federal health care marketplace hotline at 1-800-318-2596.
The Covering New Hampshire website, coveringnh.com, will offer side-by-side comparisons of the new plans and will provide information about where consumers can get further help.
While only insurance brokers can recommend particular plans, there also are federally-funded “navigators” who can help consumers explore their options. For 2015, the navigators are Bi-State Primary Care, Planned Parenthood and Greater Derry Community Health. There also are “marketplace assisters” and certified application counselors around the state.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.