New health care reform regulations mandating insurance coverage go into effect starting January 1, 2014. The changes are meant to help expand access to adequate and affordable health care coverage. The following questions and answers will help you understand and prepare how the law will likely affect you and your health care benefits.

• Q: AM I REQUIRED TO PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE?
  A: Yes. Starting in 2014, most people will be required to have health insurance or pay a penalty.
• Q: WHERE DO I GO TO PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE?
  A: For Full-time employees, DSSW/CDS/LS will offer health insurance to you during our enrollment period, November 2013.
• Q: WHAT IS A HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE OR EXCHANGE?
  A: A health insurance marketplace, also referred to as an exchange, is a website where people can shop for, compare and buy health insurance.
• Q: My status with DSSW/CDS/LS is part-time or temporary. Am I eligible for the health insurance plan offered by DSSW/CDS/LS?
  A: Since Part-time and temporary employees are not eligible for our employer plan, you may qualify for a federal subsidy.
• Q: AM I ELIGIBLE FOR INSURANCE AT THE MARKETPLACE OR EXCHANGE?
  A: Anyone can use the health insurance marketplace or exchange operating in their state to explore health insurance options, even if your employer offers insurance. The requirements to get insurance through the marketplace or exchange are:

  • You must live in the U.S.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national (or lawfully present)
  • You can’t be currently incarcerated
• Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDIES TO OFFSET THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE?

  A: To be eligible for subsidies through the exchange, your health insurance costs for self-only coverage must exceed 9.5% of your household income. In this case, individuals with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for subsidies to help offset the costs of health care coverage.

  The Kaiser Family Foundation has a calculator that may help you determine whether you qualify for a subsidy available at http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/. This calculator is not approved or sponsored by the Federal government or DSSW/CDS/LS and is intended for illustrative purposes only.

• Q: WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
  A: Click here to watch a video.