|
Dear AmeriCorps VISTA Member,
In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law ensuring that healthcare is available to all Americans. The individual responsibility requirement goes into effect January 1, 2014. We recognize that you may have questions about how this law impacts the healthcare benefit you receive through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Below are a series of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. If you have additional questions, you may contact the AmeriCorps VISTA Member Support Unit at 1-800-942-2677.
Thank you for your commitment to service and best wishes for the remainder of your year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Sincerely,
 Mary Strasser
Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
Corporation for National and Community Service
Will there be
changes to the AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan as a result of the ACA?
There
will be no changes to the AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan. For more
information about the AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan, please see the
AmeriCorps Healthcare Guide, visit americorps.sevencorners.com, or contact the
Plan's administrator: Seven Corners, 1-866-699-4186.
Does the
AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan satisfy the individual responsibility
requirement of the ACA?
The
AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan is a basic health benefit package, and does
not satisfy the individual responsibility requirement of the ACA.
Will I be
subject to a penalty?
If
you only have the AmeriCorps Health Benefits plan and do not have other
coverage that meets the individual responsibility requirement, you may be
subject to a payment under the individual responsibility provision, depending
on your individual circumstances. However, in some instances, you may not be
subject to the individual responsibility payment and can receive an exemption
for different reasons. For example, you may be exempt if you do not have to
file a tax return because your income is too low, or you are affected by your
state’s decision not to expand Medicaid coverage under the health care law. For
a complete list of exemptions and information about how to apply, please visit:
HealthCare.gov/exemptions.
Do I need to do
anything to enroll in the AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefit Plan?
You
are currently enrolled in AmeriCorps Healthcare Benefits Plan and will remain
enrolled in this plan throughout your year of service unless you elected to
waive coverage.
What other
options are available to me?
The
following healthcare options may be available to you while you finish your term
of service with the AmeriCorps VISTA program:
-
Family
healthcare coverage:
If you are 26 or younger and on a parent’s plan, or married and covered by a
spouse’s plan, you may continue this coverage during your term of service. You
can even remain on your parent’s plan if you are married, not living with your
parents, attending school, or not financially dependent on your parents. For
more information about this option, please see HealthCare.gov/can-i-keep-my-child-on-my-insurance-until-age-26. If you are
married, and you are already covered by your spouse’s healthcare plan when you
enroll in the VISTA program, you may remain on your spouse’s plan while in
VISTA service. For more information,
please see HealthCare.gov/what-if-i-have-job-based-health-insurance.
-
Healthcare
coverage purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace: Every state has
a Health Insurance Marketplace where you can shop for coverage and find out if
you qualify for lower costs. You may be
eligible to purchase a private insurance plan or enroll in Medicaid. For more information, please see HealthCare.gov.
-
Medicaid or
Medicare healthcare coverage, or military healthcare benefits: For those
already receiving or eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or military healthcare
benefits, you may receive those benefits during your year of service. For more
information about Medicare or Medicaid, please see CMS.gov.
| 
