How does the Marketplace work?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:34:41 GMT

Current Revision posted to Ask BCBSIL by BCBSIL Connect Team on 12/6/2023 8:34:41 PM

The Health Insurance Marketplace^® (sometimes called the Exchange) helps people who don’t have health care coverage:

through their job,
through a government program like Medicare or Medicaid, or
due to a life event like a job loss or cut in hours.

Some insurance companies, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, offer both Marketplace and off-Marketplace plans. All of these plans include the same essential health benefits.

When you buy a Marketplace plan, you may be able to get financial help or subsidies based on things like your family size and income. If you qualify, your monthly payment may be lower.

The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easy to shop for plans in your area. Compare plans by:

Availability in your area
Costs like monthly payment, deductible, copayment (dollar amounts), and coinsurance (percentage)
Benefits
Hospitals and doctors in the plan’s network
Prescription drug lists and coverage
Features like discounts and wellness and fitness offerings

You can shop for yourself, or you may choose to have a licensed agent help you.

The Marketplace offers fact sheets, tips and a list of common terms that make it easier to understand health care coverage.

The Marketplace can connect you with local help. Or, you can speak with one of our health plan specialists. Call us toll-free at 1-877-731-4649.

You can access the Marketplace from your desktop, smartphone or other mobile device.

Originally published 9/18/2018; Revised 2019-2023

Tags: Health Insurance Network, Affordable Care Act, Open Enrollment, Compare Health Insurance Plans, Buy Health Insurance

How does the Marketplace work?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:07:05 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Ask BCBSIL by BCBSIL Connect Team on 12/1/2023 7:07:05 PM

The Health Insurance Marketplace^® (sometimes called the Exchange) helps people who don’t have health care coverage:

through their job,
through a government program like Medicare or Medicaid, or
due to a life event like a job loss or cut in hours.

Some insurance companies, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of [State], offer both Marketplace and off-Marketplace plans. All of these plans include the same essential health benefits (link to content on those).

When you buy a Marketplace plan, you may be able to get financial help or subsidies based on things like your family size and income. If you qualify, your monthly payment may be lower.

The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easy to shop for plans in your area. Compare plans by:

Availability in your area
Costs like monthly payment, deductible, copayment (dollar amounts), and coinsurance (percentage)
Benefits
Hospitals and doctors in the plan’s network
Prescription drug lists and coverage
Features like discounts and wellness and fitness offerings

You can shop for yourself, or you may choose to have a licensed agent help you.

The Marketplace offers fact sheets, tips and a list of common terms that make it easier to understand health care coverage.

Originally published 9/18/2018; Revised 2019-2023

Tags: Health Insurance Network, Affordable Care Act, Open Enrollment, Compare Health Insurance Plans, Buy Health Insurance

How does the Marketplace work?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:36:34 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Ask BCBSIL by BCBSIL Connect Team on 11/7/2022 5:36:34 PM

The Health Insurance Marketplace, like any other type of marketplace, exists to provide options and help people find what they’re looking for. In this case, it’s health insurance coverage. On the Marketplace , you can compare health plans in your area based on price, benefits, out-of-pocket costs and other features. The Marketplace has resources such as educational materials, fact sheets, tips and a glossary. Through the Marketplace you can find local help or contact customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help navigating the Marketplace, call us at 1-877-731-4649.

Once you have signed up for coverage, you can use the Marketplace to report life changes that could impact your eligibility and coverage, like having a baby or getting married.

The Marketplace can be accessed from your desktop, smartphone, or other mobile device.

Originally published 9/18/2018; Revised 2019-2020

Tags: Health Insurance Network, Affordable Care Act, Open Enrollment, Compare Health Insurance Plans, Buy Health Insurance

How does the Marketplace work?

Bridgett — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:00:54 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Ask BCBSIL by Bridgett on 1/26/2022 4:00:54 PM

Tags: Choice, Affordability, Longevity, Health Insurance Network, Security, Prevention, Affordable Care Act, Convenience, Open Enrollment, Family, Confidence, Trust, Compare Health Insurance Plans, Buy Health Insurance

How does the Marketplace work?

LaurenD — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 03:30:49 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Ask BCBSIL by LaurenD on 10/23/2018 3:30:49 AM

How does the Marketplace work?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 22:29:11 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Ask BCBSIL by BCBSIL Connect Team on 10/12/2018 10:29:11 PM

The Health Insurance Marketplace, like any other type of marketplace, exists to provide options and help people find what they’re looking for. In this case, it’s health insurance coverage. On the Marketplace , you can compare health plans in your area based on price, benefits, out-of-pocket costs and other features. The Marketplace has resources such as educational materials, fact sheets, tips and a glossary. Through the Marketplace you can find local help or contact customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help navigating the Marketplace, call us at 855-599-1515.

Once you have signed up for coverage, you can use the Marketplace to report life changes that could impact your eligibility and coverage, like having a baby or getting married.

The Marketplace can be accessed from your desktop, smartphone, or other mobile device.

How does the Marketplace work?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 19:27:57 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Ask BCBSIL by BCBSIL Connect Team on 9/18/2018 7:27:57 PM

The Health Insurance Marketplace, like any other type of marketplace, exists to provide options and help people find what they’re looking for. In this case, it’s health insurance coverage. On the Marketplace , you can compare health plans in your area based on price, benefits, out-of-pocket costs and other features. The Marketplace has resources such as educational materials, fact sheets, tips and a glossary. Through the Marketplace you can find local help or contact customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help navigating the Marketplace, call us at 855-599-1515.

Once you have signed up for coverage, you can use the Marketplace to report life changes that could impact your eligibility and coverage, like having a baby or getting married.

The Marketplace can be accessed from your desktop, smartphone, or other mobile device.

Tags: Health Insurance Network, Affordable Care Act, Compare Health Insurance Plans, Buy health insurance