Who is eligible for the exchanges?
The health reform bill authorizes states to create insurance exchanges or marketplaces where small business and people who do not have coverage through their employer can shop for insurance. States may choose whether to combine these two markets (individual market and small group market) into one exchange, or have separate exchanges for each. Insurers will bid to sell policies in the exchanges, and must meet certain minimum requirements in terms of benefits and cost to participate. The exchanges will be up and running by 2014. Over time, states may open up the exchanges to other groups of people. Sliding scale subsidies are available to individuals purchasing insurance through the exchange to help make insurance more affordable. Individuals and families with incomes between 133% and 400% of poverty will be eligible for these subsidies.
