The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Also known as "ObamaCare".

ObamaCare's health care reform does a number of important things including offering Americans a number of new benefits, rights, and protections in regards to their healthcare, and setting up a Health Insurance Marketplace where Americans can purchase federally regulated and subsidized health insurance during open enrollment. The law also expands Medicaid, improves Medicare,requires you to have coverage in 2014 and beyond, and contains some new taxes and tax breaks, among other things.

The Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people find health coverage. We can assist you to fill out a Marketplace application and we'll tell you if you qualify for:

• Private health insurance. Plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care. Some plans include dental coverage. In other cases, free-standing dental plans are available.
• Lower costs are based on your household size and income.  Most people are eligible to use the Marketplace.

Most people must have health coverage or pay a penalty. If you don't have coverage in 2016, you'll pay a fee of either 2.5% of your income, or $695.00per adult ($347.50 per child), whichever is higher. You'll pay the fee on your 2016 income taxes.

Some people qualify for an exemption from the fee, based on income or other factors.

You're considered covered if you have Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, any job-based plan, any plan you bought yourself, COBRA, retiree coverage, TRICARE, VA health coverage, or some other kinds of health coverage.

You can also buy a plan outside the Marketplace and still be considered covered. If you buy outside the Marketplace, you won't be eligible for premium tax credits or lower out-of-pocket costs based on your income.

If you're eligible for job-based insurance, you can consider switching to a Marketplace plan. But you won't qualify for lower costs based on your income unless the job-based insurance isn't considered affordable or doesn't meet minimum requirements.

If you have Medicare, you're considered covered and don't have to make any changes. If you have Medicare, you can't use the Marketplace to buy a supplemental plan or dental plan.

Coverage, Credits, Payments

• If you are like most people, you probably already have qualifying health care coverage and don't need to do anything more than continue your insurance.
• If you don't have or maintain coverage, you will have to get an exemption or make a payment with your federal income tax return.
• If you don't have coverage, you may be able to get it through the health insurance marketplace.
• If you get coverage through the health insurance marketplace you may be eligible for the

Premium Tax Credit (PTC).

• The premium tax credit can be paid in advance to your insurance company or to you when you file your federal income tax return. Find out more about the option to get it now or get it later.
• If you receive advance credit payments, you need to report changes in circumstances that will affect the credit to the Marketplace as they happen.
• If you don't have coverage or qualify for an exemption you may have to make an Individual Shared Responsibility payment when you file your income tax return. You will report your coverage, exemption or payment on your federal income tax return.