Senator Shaheen believes everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care. She voted for the 2010 Affordable Care Act because she believes it is an important step to reforming our health care system. 

Already, the Affordable Care Act is helping thousands of New Hampshire families and individuals and it has the potential to help thousands more. To read more about Senator Shaheen’s health care policy priorities, click here.

Beginning October 1, 2013, the New Hampshire insurance marketplace will open for enrollment.  For the first time in the history of the private insurance market, people in New Hampshire will be able to go to one place to check out their coverage options, get accurate and easy-to-understand information, and compare plans before they make decisions regarding their health care. The marketplace will also make it easy for people in New Hampshire to find out if they are eligible for lower costs through premium tax credits or health programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in health coverage. 

To learn more about the New Hampshire marketplace visit the website HealthCare.gov and keep reading for resources and more.

New Hampshire Health Insurance Marketplace & Enrollment

New Hampshire’s Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes referred to as “the exchange,” is a new online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance. The marketplace will make it easy for people in New Hampshire to compare qualified health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they are eligible to lower their health care costs for private insurance or for health programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in health coverage. 

There are three key dates you’ll want to mark on your calendar:

• October 1, 2013: Marketplace open enrollment starts
• January 1, 2014: Health coverage can start
• March 31, 2014: Open enrollment ends

If you live in New Hampshire and want to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may visit HealthCare.gov  to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Specific plans and prices will be available on October 1, 2013, when Marketplace open enrollment begins. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014. Click here for an application checklist.

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP at any time 

The Marketplace will tell you whether you qualify for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply right now for Medicaid or CHIP, and your coverage can begin immediately. Visit www.nheasy.nh.gov to find out if you qualify for New Hampshire Medicaid or CHIP and apply online.

Small employers can start SHOP coverage at any time

Small employers – employers with 50 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees (FTEs) – will be able to offer health insurance to their employees through the SHOP Marketplace.  SHOP, or The Small Business Health Options Program, is a new way for small employers to buy health insurance for their employees.  Some small employers may qualify for a small business health care tax credit worth up to 50 percent of your premium costs if plans are purchased through SHOP. No small employers are required to offer health coverage.

Health coverage through SHOP can start as soon as January 1, 2014. Small business owners may work directly with an agent, broker, or insurance company to pick a plan and enroll themselves and their employees with a paper application. Online enrollment for SHOP will begin by November 2014. You can sign up and begin offering employee coverage any time during the year. The deadline to enroll in SHOP will be the 15th of the month for coverage to be effective the 1st of the following month.

Have questions about the SHOP Marketplace for businesses with 50 or fewer employees? Call 1-800-706-7893 (TTY users: 1-800-706-7915). Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Agents and brokers may also use this number.

Resources

Below are links to local, state and federal resources that you may find helpful in answering your health insurance questions. Senator Shaheen’s office is also available to help.  You may contact Senator Shaheen online here or contact one of the office locations listed at the left of the page. 

• http://www.nh.gov/insurance/
• www.healthcare.gov    
• https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/
• http://marketplace.cms.gov/

Navigators

If you need assistance enrolling in health insurance coverage, each state has designated “Navigators” who can help.  The organizations below will have trained navigators available to help New Hampshire residents apply for and obtain affordable, quality health insurance.

• Bi-state Primary Care Association: (603) 228-2830 ext. 160
• Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

A growing number of organizations will be available to help individuals apply for health insurance coverage. Visit the HHS database to find local organizations that will be available starting October 1, 2013 to help you apply and enroll in the New Hampshire marketplace.

Certified Application Counselors

A list of Certified Application Counselors will also be available in the near future; these organizations and individuals undergo training and can help people fill out the application to obtain health insurance coverage through the marketplace. Please continue to monitor our site for Certified Application Counselor and other information.

Resources for Businesses

Some businesses may have new requirements under the Affordable Care Act.  More information is available through:

• business.usa.gov/healthcare
• healthcare.gov/businesses/
• The Federal Health Insurance Call Center for Small Employers: 1-800-706-7893 (TTY users: 1-800-706-7915).

Other New Hampshire Resources

• New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents 
• New Hampshire Department of Insurance
• New Hampshire Medicaid Program
• HHS Regional Office