For many people, today is the last day to enroll in federally subsidized health insurance for 2021, as open enrollment in the 36 states that use the federal exchange will end tomorrow.
Americans are rushing to sign up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as “Obamacare,” as the average number of consumers signing up daily is running about 14% ahead of last year’s pace, according to CNN.
Obamacare is taxpayer-subsidized healthcare insurance for people who don’t have job-based coverage. While people over 65 can qualify for Medicaid, Obamacare subsidizes the rest of the population that are uninsured.
Per The Balance, all the insurance plans offered by the exchanges must cover the following ten essential health benefits:
Emergency room services and hospitalization.
Outpatient care, including preventive and wellness visits, as well as chronic disease management.
Preventive care visits have no copay.
Lab tests.
Maternity, newborn, and pediatric care.
Mental and behavioral health treatment.
Prescription drugs.
Here’s how you can enroll, by state.