Cohen Celebrates Launch of New, Affordable Health Insurance Marketplace

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that uninsured Memphians now have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance through the marketplace created in the President’s landmark Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare. The Congressman also encouraged all uninsured Memphians to visit https://www.HealthCare.gov to apply for coverage, compare plans, learn whether they qualify for lower costs, and enroll.

“The Affordable Care Act is already working for families in the Ninth District and the government shutdown doesn’t change that,” said Congressman Cohen. “147,000 Ninth District residents now have insurance that covers preventive care, Memphis consumers can no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition and, starting today, uninsured individuals across the nation have access to high-quality, affordable coverage options for the first time. I hope that every uninsured Memphian visits www.HealthCare.gov to compare plans, learn if they qualify for lower rates, and enroll in the health insurance plan that is right for them.”

In the new online Marketplace, residents of Tennessee’s Ninth District looking for coverage will be able to shop among affordable choices, explained in easy-to-understand language. It is estimated that substantially more than half of those shopping in the new Marketplace will qualify for discounts on their monthly premium, based on their income, which will make the premiums even more affordable.

In this new online Marketplace, there is no denial for pre-existing conditions, no annual or lifetime limits on coverage, and no higher rates for women compared to men. The open enrollment period for the first year of the Marketplaces runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. Enrollment is a six-month process and will build over time.

If residents have questions about the Marketplace, they can call 1-800-318-2596, a toll-free hotline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit local non-profit Seedco, which offers trained experts to help walk Memphians through the process and help them enroll in insurance plans, at 22 North Front Street, Suite 900, or by phone at (901) 528-8341.