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What To Ask Your Provider If The ACA Is Repealed

by Korey Lane

Nov. 8, 2016 wasn't just a historic day for our nation's presidential past, present, and future. It was also an important day for the other elections that took place: Congressional representatives all across the country were elected and reelected, and, in the end, Republicans came out on top, taking the majority of the House and the Senate. While you can look at this as either a simple win or loss, the first order of business for these officials seems to be repealing Obama's most notable act of legislation during his time as president: the Affordable Care Act. And while most congressional Republicans seem to not take into account the plethora of Americans who would be without coverage if they got their wish, your fellow women and mothers see you, and they want you to know and understand how to talk to your insurance provider about the ACA repeal.

Understanding health care coverage legislation isn't easy to do, and especially with Trump's executive order reportedly lessening Obamacare's reach, figuring out what exactly this means for you and your own health insurance is a tricky thing. There are a lot of regulations, which the Republicans want to take away, that probably affect you. However, while so much of this is all happening constantly, and actions being taken every day in Congress, it's important to stay on top of things with your own health care provider.

In the wake of so much uncertainty in terms of health coverage, it's crucial to have first-hand information from your own health insurance provider, to ensure that you're doing everything in your power to stay insured.

Here's What You Should Ask

If you're worried about your rights and access to health care under a Trump presidency, remember that you have every right to be so worried and concerned. Do not let anyone or anything else make you feel as though you need to get over it, because you, your body, and your health matter.

That being said, there are some important questions you should ask your insurance provider if you have concerns. These include, but are not limited to:

  • "What services am I now able to access, and are they at risk of being taken away?"
  • "Of the services Trump and his administration wish to repeal, which ones directly affect me the most?"
  • "What services would you recommend I schedule (if necessary) ASAP, before they get taken away?"
  • "What, if anything, can I do to protect my health in case I lose my coverage?"
  • "When, if applicable, I will lose my coverage?"

These may seem like a lot of questions, and you may not get a lot of concrete answers, but having an insiders perspective can help you to understand what's happening, and how it effects you.

Here's Who You Should Contact

No matter who your individual health insurance provider is, if you're covered under the Affordable Care Act, you are encouraged to contact HealthCare.gov directly, via your online account or phone number, to get your questions answered. Because the HealthCare.gov team will have more immediate access to information regarding coverage changes and any repeal actions that affect you, it's important to reach out to them to learn first hand what's happening. You can reach the team at 1-800-318-2596, and also use your online account to access even more information.

Of course, if you have more detailed information in regards to a specific mandate that might affect you, contact your own health insurance provider. You should be able to call a customer support agent directly, or send an email. If you're not getting the answers you need, you should also contact the HealthCare.gov team, to make sure they know that you're being treated unfairly, and can work on getting you the answers you need.

It really is an uncertain time in our nation's history. We have a president who has never held a public office a day in his life, and whose main objective seems to be undoing most of President Obama's most positive legislation in office. However, you are not alone, and you have your rights. Stay educated, stay informed, and do not stay complacent.