On March 23, 2010, then-President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. More than 50 million Americans, including families with small children, lacked health insurance and could not access needed healthcare. The goal of the ACA was to bring affordable health insurance to these people. Other provisions in the ACA ensured people with preexisting conditions could get insurance at a reasonable cost and provide coverage for specific medications, such as birth control. In addition, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits insurance companies from setting annual dollar limits on how much they spend on essential health benefits for a person’s care while they are enrolled in a plan.
The ACA created Health Insurance Marketplaces where people can purchase coverage and receive financial assistance to reduce premiums and deductibles. This can help people who may have been uninsured due to limited finances or preexisting conditions. Over the years, many people, including those in Tennessee, have gained health insurance through the ACA. The rollout experienced chaos and legal challenges, but the ACA has functioned as a safety net for many Americans. Tennesseans have used the ACA Marketplace, but the process can be confusing. GetCoveredTenn is your partner for a smoother process.
How the ACA Has Impacted Tennessee Residents
In 20234, more than 555,103 Tennesseans chose health plans on the ACA Marketplace. This means that more than six percent of the people of Tennessee benefited and found affordable and comprehensive health insurance to protect themselves and their families. The ACA Marketplace allows individuals at certain income levels to buy individual policies where the federal government offsets the cost of the policies. This helps lower or eliminate the monthly premiums and makes the policies more affordable to people who make less money.
As of 2024, Tennessee has not taken advantage of the option to expand Medicaid through the ACA to provide healthcare for the people in the gray area who make too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to benefit from the ACA. Based on the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report, in Tennessee, some 95,000 uninsured adults in the coverage gap will become eligible for TennCare if the state expends Medicaid.
Although the Medicaid coverage gap still impacts many uninsured Tennessean, the ACA has opened a pathway for many uninsured Tennesseans to gain access to health care.
Available Resources for Tennesseans to Access ACA Coverage
Navigating the ACA Marketplace and securing coverage can seem daunting. You can access the Marketplace online at HealthCare.gov. Once you reach the website, you will have to set up an account and provide a wealth of personal information, including your income. It can become confusing, and you may struggle to determine which policy is best for you and your family.
Non-profits, such as GetCoveredTenn, provide the helping hand you need to navigate the ACA Marketplace. You will find assistance in creating an account and more information on the types of health insurance policies that benefit you and your family. Our team of experts are available to answer any questions you may have. In-person or phone appointments are available.
GetCoveredTenn: Your Partner in Securing Affordable Health Insurance Under the ACA
At GetCoveredTenn, we understand the nuances of securing a policy that fits your budget and meets your coverage needs under the ACA. We are a non-profit with the goal of ensuring that all Tennesseans who need health insurance can gain access to a policy. Contact us now.