Affordable Care Act 101
Troubled launch doesn’t lessen importance of ACA success, hospital leader tells UM audience
ORONO, Maine — The chaotic launch of the Affordable Care Act and its companion website, HealthCare.gov, doesn’t lessen the law’s importance to the future of health care in the United States, according to the president of one of the nation’s top hospitals who spoke at the University of Maine on …
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Health insurance marketplace opens to flood of interest, glitches
Mainers seeking to sign up for health insurance through online marketplaces that launched Tuesday under Obamacare weren’t stalled by the government shutdown which is rooted in an impasse over the law in the nation’s capital. But technical glitches — along with the political infighting — tested consumers’ patience. More than …
ACA 101
In Maine, the Affordable Care Act exchange will be run by the feds
Political decisions to leave ACA to the federal government and to cut Medicaid have put Maine and its residents in a unique situation.
ACA aware: Watch out for scams
State officials have a message for you: No one from the government will be calling to sell you insurance. If someone does, it’s a scam. Also, that person calling to set you up with a new Obamacare insurance card? Scam. That site that says it’ll sign you up for insurance …
The Obamacare rules and regs most likely to affect your life
You’ve read through this entire 5-part series on the Affordable Care Act. Bravo, informed citizen. Or maybe you’re just tuning in now. Either way, you might be thinking, “What do I absolutely have to remember so I can move on with my life?” Here are the most important ACA rules …
Tax credit or penalty? What to know about running a business under Obamacare
Hey business owners: How much time do you spend worrying about health insurance for your workers? A lot? Don’t have time to answer because you’re too busy actually running your business? You’re probably aware that the Affordable Care Act ushers in big changes for how employers provide health coverage, but …
A step-by-step guide for businesses under the Affordable Care Act
Wondering about health insurance for businesses under Obamacare? Here’s what you should do. Step 1. Figure out how many “full-time equivalent” workers you employ. This is more complicated than it sounds, and may involve adding up the hours worked by any part-time employees to count toward your total. Seasonal workers …
Affordable Care Act 101
Mammograms, colonoscopies, contraception: ACA seeks to tame costs through preventive care
Most of us visit the doctor only when we’re sick or injured. We break an ankle, get walloped with the flu, and finally dial up our physician or nurse practitioner to tell them where it hurts. The Affordable Care Act seeks to change that. While the health reform law can’t …
Little-known facts about the Affordable Care Act
So, let’s say you’re pregnant. (Fellas, bear with me here.) You’re thinking you’d like to breastfeed your new bundle of joy. You’re sure. Pretty sure. But how to work and nurse? Under the Affordable Care Act, you’ll get some help figuring that out. (Plus a free breast pump for just …
Free preventive care services list
Many health plans are required to cover certain preventive care services to adults at no cost under the Affordable Care Act, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. All health plans sold through the health insurance marketplaces — where small businesses and consumers can shop for coverage come Oct. 1 — and …
Affordable Care Act 101
Here’s 6 things you’ll need to know before Obamacare hits on Jan. 1
Here’s something you probably never thought you’d hear: Health insurance is about to get interesting. New discounts. New benefits. New rules. And a new place to buy. Come Oct. 1, people can start signing up for health insurance in the new Affordable Care Act marketplace, or exchange. All individuals, families …
An ACA glossary
Catastrophic plan: You’re young, poor and feel invincible — this is the plan for you. Offers low monthly cost, high yearly deductible, limited benefits. Basically, it’s there in case you’re in a major car accident, get cancer or suffer some other major medical problem. You know, a catastrophe. Thus the …
Make it happen: The step-by-step guide to the ACA
Need insurance? Here’s what you should do: Step 1. Check with your employer to see if health insurance will be offered. If it will, find out how much your share of the monthly premium will be. If it’s unaffordable (more than 9.5 percent of family income to insure you), poor …
Confused by the ACA? Here’s where to get help and more info
Call: — Health insurance marketplace hotline: 800-318-2596 for individuals or 800-706-7893 for small businesses — “Navigators” — federally designated ACA helpers — are available through Western Maine Community Action (available starting Oct. 1) — Aroostook County Action Program, 800-432-7881 — Kennebec Valley Community Action, 800-542-8227 — Midcoast Maine Community Action, …
What your health insurance might look like under Obamacare
What are your options under the Affordable Care Act? Here are some examples — with the help of some (slightly re-imagined) characters from “Grey’s Anatomy.” Izzie, 24, single, no kids, doesn’t smoke. Lives with mom and dad in Bangor while she saves up money for medical school. She makes $16,000 …
Affordable Care Act 101
An Affordable Care Act timeline
March 23, 2010: President Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Coverage required for children with pre-existing conditions and young adults under 26. Insurers prohibited from placing lifetime limits on coverage and arbitrarily canceling coverage. Insurers must cover certain preventive health services for free, with no copays …
Affordable What Act? Like it or not, Obamacare is coming. Here’s what to expect
The nation’s most pivotal health reform in 50 years kicks into high gear this fall. You’ll be affected. Here’s how. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been called a lot of things since it became law three years ago. Also known as the ACA or Obamacare, the law …
Just the FAQs, ma’am
What is this “Affordable Care Act” of which you speak? It’s a controversial 900-plus-page federal law (officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that was signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It makes some sweeping changes to health care, like requiring almost all Americans to have …
Highlights of the Affordable Care Act
You have lots of questions about the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The Bangor Daily News and Lewiston Sun Journal want to help you understand what the ACA will mean for you and your family. Through a 5-part series that begins this weekend and will run Mondays through Oct. 1, …
The ACA and you
You have lots of questions about the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The Bangor Daily News and Lewiston Sun Journal want to help you understand what the ACA will mean for you and your family. Through a 5-part series that will run Mondays through Sept. 30, the day before ACA …
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