The federal Affordable Care Act called the “individual mandate” requires all citizens to have minimum essential health coverage starting January 1, 2014, or
be subject to a penalty when you file your taxes.
The Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as an exchange) is a website where you can shop for health insurance and compare your options and costs side-by-side.
If you are not eligible to participate in the district’s employee benefits program and do not have health insurance coverage, you may choose to obtain coverage through the Marketplace. Depending on your household income, you may also be eligible for a tax credit and/or premium assistance to help reduce the cost of health coverage obtained through the Marketplace.
If you are already enrolled in the district’s employee benefits program, you meet your requirement for coverage. The plans we offer and the level of salaries we pay meets the standards for an “affordable healthcare plan” under federal law. You do not need to purchase coverage through the Marketplace in order to avoid the individual mandate penalty. You may, however, if you wish.
To find out more about the new insurance marketplaces, visit
www.coveredca.com or
healthcare.gov. You may also refer to the following links for more information about Healthcare Reform:
