The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, open enrollment for 2018 health insurance starts today, November 1 and runs through December 15, 2017.
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The open enrollment period this year is highly contentious, as the President Trump and many congressional republicans are still pledging to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Confusion about the health law and insurance is widespread.
There is also widespread debate as to the blame for the weakening insurance markets – Democrats or Republicans.
The number of insurers on Healthcare.gov is dropping from 167 to 132 for 2018 coverage. Consumers using the marketplace will have less choices of providers.
Premiums are also expected to rise, although not all consumers will pay increased rates. Many consumers on the marketplace are eligible for federal tax credits.
Consumers who purchase private insurance who are not eligible for tax credits will likely see large rate increases.
Although there is no more federal funding for subsidies, insurers must continue to offer the subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
There remains a great deal of uncertainty regarding the future of healthcare insurance, which makes the open enrollment period more confusing to navigate than ever.
Many people are concerned that the uninsured number will continue to rise in light of recent insurance changes and the looming uncertainties.
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