It is the dawn of Obamacare.* October 1st marked the first day that U.S. citizens, with or without a history of health problems, can log on to state or federal health insurance exchanges and shop for comprehensive health insurance plans. The law is new, and it’s understandable that there is still confusion, as well as more than a few glitches. But Obamacare is helpful for a freelance writer like me, who doesn’t have employer-based coverage.
There are many resources that can help explain the new law and its impact. Health insurance brokers (such as my Portland-based client, Century Benefits) are there to help people make informed decisions.
Here is some other information that can help:
1. Do you know if your state has its own healthcare exchange? Click here for more answers. (Oregon’s state exchange is called Cover Oregon).
2. Are you interested in separating fact and fiction about Obamacare? Check out this site.
3. Do you want to read the law itself? Click here for a summary of Obamacare or here to read the entire text of the law.
4. Open enrollment runs through March 2014, but you’ll need to select a plan by December 15 if you want coverage to begin in January 2014.
5. You can buy insurance directly from insurers.
Healthcare specialists and coverage advisors will probably spend the next few months on the phone or writing e-mails. Many will also need to create web and print content to inform the public about Obamacare, and the often-confusing news on the law.
If you work in the healthcare sector and are inundated with requests for more information about Obamacare, feel free to contact me. Healthcare and medical content is one of my specialties (my Dad was an amazing pediatrician for 35+ years, and I learned a lot from him).
Aside from my work for Century Benefits, I’ve written healthcare-related content for St. Anthony Physicians Shawnee and several medically-focused businesses in Portland, Oregon.
I also enjoy helping people, and I would be more than happy to work on any web or print content that can help communicate information about the new law.
Are you confused about Obamacare? Or are you completely up to speed on the new law?
*The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I normally use formal titles, but we’re probably always going to call it Obamacare!
