What you need to know about the Affordable Care Act

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) – also known as Obamacare – is the law that helps make health insurance more affordable and accessible. It created income-based savings, set standards for coverage and allows people to buy individual health insurance even with pre‑existing conditions.

What does the ACA do?

The ACA helps make health insurance easier to use by:

• Requiring plans to cover essential health benefits
• Preventing denial or higher costs due to pre‑existing conditions
• Offering financial help to lower premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs
• Setting enrollment periods so coverage is predictable

What kind of health coverage uses the ACA?

ACA rules apply to individual and family health plans, whether you buy them:

• Directly from Priority Health, or
• Through an official marketplace

If your plan isn’t offered through an employer, Medicare or Medicaid, it’s likely governed by the ACA.

How the ACA can lower your costs

Many people qualify for savings through the ACA, including:

• Premium tax credits that lower your monthly payment
• Cost-sharing reductions that reduce deductibles, copays, and coinsurance

When can you enroll?

You can enroll in an ACA plan during:

• Open Enrollment, which happens once a year
• A Special Enrollment Period, if you experience a qualifying life event like losing coverage or moving

Is the ACA the same as Obamacare?

Yes. Obamacare is a nickname for the Affordable Care Act. They’re the same law.

What the ACA doesn’t cover

The ACA doesn’t apply to:

• Employer-sponsored group plans (though many follow similar rules)
• Short-term or limited-benefit plans
• Health care sharing ministries