Let's go over how coverage works

You don’t need to work full-time to get ACA coverage. Your income may even qualify you for a premium discount and extra savings.

You’ve got options. One of them is COBRA. But this coverage typically runs out after 18 months, and it can be pricey. The good news is that ACA coverage typically costs less. 

With ACA coverage, you can choose the premium and out-of-pocket costs that are right for you. You may even be able to deduct the premiums you paid on your income tax.

With lots of ACA plan choices available, you get to choose what best fits you. And since you’re self-employed, you may even get a tax break on your premiums.

You can still buy an ACA plan. But if your employer’s plan meets certain affordability and quality standards, you may pay less for employer coverage than an ACA plan.

With ACA coverage, you’ll find many plan options and you may even qualify for financial help to lower your costs. Plus, everyone who applies can’t be denied coverage for preexisting conditions.

This is a fixed amount that you typically pay at the time you get care. For example, you might pay $40 when you see your doctor.

This is the amount you pay before your plan starts to pay for some or all of your costs. 

This is a percentage that you pay after you’ve met your deductible. For example, if your plan covers 80% of the cost for physical therapy, you would pay the remaining 20%. 

This is a cap on your plan costs. Once you have paid this amount through your deductible, copays and coinsurance, your plan pays 100% of all covered costs for the rest of the plan year.

This is an order from your provider, written on paper or sent electronically, to see another provider for a specific health service.

This is a group of providers — like doctors and clinics — that have a contract with a health plan. When you see a provider in your health plan’s network you get special, lower rates.