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Healthcare reform is moving at full throttle to be ready for January 1st, 2014. Some people did not even know that healthcare reform was signed into law by the current Administration. Most people are still confused on how things will pan out. The health insurance exchanges are going to be real, but you need to know your options before pulling the trigger.

The media and your next door neighbor is doing a good job with informing you on what is in store for healthcare reform in 2014. Some are saying you have to buy inside the health insurance exchanges but they do not know why. So why do you have to buy inside the health insurance exchanges? Ask them, and they will not know.
For small businesses, the S.H.O.P. has been delayed and will not be ready in time for 2014. However, for individuals and families that work for companies that do not offer health insurance can easily go to the health insurance exchanges starting as early as October 1, 2013 with an effective date of January 1st, 2014. Choosing to go to the exchanges, you may qualify for the tax subsidy for your premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Of course, not everyone will qualify for this. The tax subsidy takes in account family filing status, income and a few other factors. If you qualify for the subsidy, this can be good for your pocket book. Many professionals and families that do a little better, income wise, may not qualify for the subsidies. If you do not qualify for subsidy, then there is no added value for using the exchanges. None.

Buying outside the exchange will give you more options versus what is available inside the exchange. The plan options will be more flexible and allows you to have more control over your health plan coverage. This can help you manage your personal interests as well as your budget. For those people looking for more choices on their healthcare coverage, this can be a good thing.

Inside the exchange, you will only be looking at five different plan levels from each carrier. The only difference between the carriers is the monthly premium, as long as you are comparing the same plan. It is pretty cookie cutter, to say the least. You are limited to those options and that's it.

Review plans outside the exchanges with a health insurance broker can be very advantageous for you and your business. The flexibility of plans and pricing options will empower you. Now you can turn off the news and stop listening to your neighbor. You are in control versus the subject of what the government dictating to be bought inside the exchanges.

Butch Zemar
www.EliteBenefits.net