As part of the Affordable Health Care Act, US Citizens and legal residents will be required to have qualifying health coverage by January 1, 2014. In preparation for this, a health care exchange (a place where consumers can purchase subsidized health insurance coverage) in available online.

Michigan has chosen to use the federal exchange for health insurance rather than implementing a state-based exchange.

The federal exchange is located online at Healthcare.gov.

If an individual wishes their health insurance to begin January 1, 2014, they must enroll by mid-December. Open Enrollment will close March 31, 2014.

Individuals

can apply for health care insurance in the following ways:

by mail: (printable pdfs)

  application

  instructions

by calling toll-free: 1-800-318-2596

online at Healthcare.gov

in person through certified trained navigators.  Follow this link to find a list of certified Navigators in the Highland area.

Before you start

Print out an introduction to the Health Care Marketplace and a checklist of information you will need in order to apply.

Small Businesses

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a new way to buy high-quality health insurance for your employees. It opens for business October 1, 2013.

Get ready now by answering a few quick questions to learn what you need to know.

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.