Carondelet will be a federal marketplace health-care provider in Tucson
Open enrollment in the marketplace, created through the Affordable Care Act, began Tuesday and goes through
When open enrollment began on
All the plans being offered this season are HMOs, which means consumers must use in-network providers or face higher out-of-network costs. The exception is if the service is not offered anywhere in network and is necessary. The burden is on the consumer to show that's true.
While the
The insurance carrier said it has contacted the
On Friday, Carondelet officials announced they had negotiated a contract with Ambetter, which is the only company offering plans on the marketplace to
"The process of negotiating contracts can be complex but we are pleased to have reached an agreement with Ambetter to provide healthcare services to their members," Carondelet officials said in a written statement.
That contract means Carondelet will be considered an in-network provider for all the
The news of Carondelet's participation in the marketplace adds provider choice to a narrow
The
"Banner didn't opt out. Banner is not an insurance company and can't elect to participate on our own, but only through relationships with payers,"
The Affordable Care Act seeks to have as many people insured as possible, which is why there are fines for people who are uninsured -- 2.5 percent of one's income, or
However, there are certain scenarios where people can apply for a hardship exemption and avoid penalties for not having coverage.
Most Americans get their health insurance via their employer or a government program, and a minority need to buy it through the individual marketplace, which is sometimes called a health exchange. Some states have set up their own exchanges.
A federal report released last month said 72 percent of marketplace consumers in states using healthcare.gov will be able to find plans with a premium of less than
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@stephanieinnes
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