DC Health Link - Focus on Facts

 Focus on Facts

  

DC Health Link will be ready and open for business on October 1. Consumers and small business owners will be able to compare and shop for health plans that best fit their needs. No one will experience any delays in coverage. The technical issues discussed in the news and below will NOT impact anyone’s access to coverage.

DC Health Link is Ready to Open for Business October 1
 
DC Health Link – the District of Columbia’s new online health insurance marketplace – will open October 1.   It will have new affordable health plan options for small businesses and residents in the District. Procedures have been developed to ensure residents will not experience a delay in coverage, while continuously enhancing the functionality of the system with new tools and features. 
 
To ensure the best possible customer experience in this “start-up” phase, trained experts – DC Health Link Assisters and DC Health Link Certified Insurance Experts (licensed brokers) – will be available to help all users navigate the process of applying, shopping, comparing, and choosing coverage.  In October, hundreds of trained experts will provide “concierge” services to consumers and businesses.  In addition, the DC Health Link Contact Center (1-855-532-5465) is open and will be available to connect consumers to trained experts for in-person help.  All businesses and individuals are encouraged to take advantage of DC Health Link’s free concierge service. 
 
Small Business Owners

All functionalities will be operational for small businesses. Small businesses with 50 or fewer workers can shop, compare, and sign up for coverage through DCHealthLink.com. 

Features and options include:
• Choice of insurers (two Aetna companies, two CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Companies, Kaiser Permanente, and two United Healthcare companies);
• Choice of 267 health plan options including HMOs, Point-of-Service, PPOs, and HSA-compatible plans;
• Plans at all metal levels:  bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
 
Employers can do everything on-line directly or using a broker: 
• Create a secure account, pick options to offer to their employees (and dependents), pick contribution level, and provide employee census;
• Decide whether to offer employees (1) a choice of all plans from all insurers in a metal level; (2) a choice all plans from one insurance company; or (3)one plan from one insurance company;
• Pay for coverage online, by check, or by phone.  Payment must be made by December 12 for coverage to be effective January 1, 2014;
• Use an on-line tool to help calculate their number of full-time equivalent employees;
• Use an on-line tool to find a DC Health Link Certified Broker (if an employer is not working with one now).
 
Starting October 1, DC Health Link will have a secure website for brokers and Assisters that allows them to assist their clients (small businesses and their employees as well as individuals and families) with all on-line functions. Brokers and Assisters will receive information when an employer or resident has asked for their assistance.

Individuals and Families

On October 1, the following options and functions will be available to District residents:
• Choice of insurers (two Aetna companies, two CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies, and Kaiser Permanente);
• Choice of 34 health plan options including HMOs, PPOs, and catastrophic plans; and
• Plans at all metal levels:  bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
 
Through DC Health Link, consumers can go on-line directly or obtain the help of DC Health Link Assisters and brokers to: 
• Create a secure personal account on-line;
• Review prices and compare up to 34 plan options;
• Pick and enroll in a plan;
• Make the first payment through DC Health Link online using a credit or debit card or a bank withdrawal, or by mail or phone.  Payment must be made by December 15 for coverage to be effective January 1, 2014; and
• Find a DC Health Link Assister or Certified Broker (if a person is not working with one now) through an on-line tool.

Medicaid and Tax Credit Eligibility

People seeking Medicaid coverage or tax credits will be able to use DC Health Link to create an account and submit an on-line application. Their initial eligibility determination will be completed off-line by experts.

DC residents seeking Medicaid coverage can still receive medical assistance and apply for Medicaid on October 1. Despite recent media coverage about software issues that that are being resolved, the process for receiving and reviewing Medicaid applications, as well as determining Medicaid eligibility will continue without delay. Residents who want to apply for Medicaid will actually have several new options for submitting applications. Through DC Health Link, residents will be able to complete and submit an electronic application; apply over the telephone by calling the DC Health Link Contact Center 1- 855-532-5465.  Residents will also be able to get help from trained DC Health Link Assisters or they can come into a neighborhood service center and submit an application in person.

The functionality to determine tax credits is not fully operable at this time. However, consumers who submit
applications will automatically receive an eligibility determination for tax credits in early November. Based on an accurate premium reduction calculation, a consumer will have ample time to choose a health plan and complete enrollment. Payments must be received by December 15th for coverage to begin January 1, 2014. Again, there is no delay in coverage.

From day one, dchealthlink.com will have a premium tax credit calculator to estimate an individual’s or families’ tax credit amount. This feature will help consumers to immediately estimate their premium costs and use that information to shop for coverage.

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