What's Your Obamacare IQ ?

                   Polls show that most Americans are still confused about the Afordable Care Act.  
                   How about you?    Think you understand it?
                   This quiz has 15 questions; each one correct answer.

1. Starting in 2014, if you go for three consecutive months or more without having health insurance.
a) Time in jail.
b) Lose the right to get coverage in the future.
c) A financial penalty when you file you annual income tax return.
d) No consequences at all.
2. If you are covered by Medicare, which of the following will change under health reform?
a) The gap in prescription drug coverage known as the "doughnut hole" will gradually disappear.
b) If you want to buy a Medicare supplement policy, you will have to do it through an exchange.
c) Your coverage will no longer include copayts and deductibles.
d) Your physician will be paid less for treating you.
3. A new government panel now does which of the following?
a) Decides which Medicare patients can get end-of-life care.
b) Decides which tests and treatments your doctor can order.
c) Sponsors research to compare the effectiveness of treatments.
d) Advises the Medicare program on which new treatments are too expensive to be covered.
4. If you try to buy a policy on the new marketplace and have a serious chronic medical condition:
a) Insurance companies can charge you up to three times more for coverage than someone who is in perfect health.
b) All insurers must offer to sell you coverage.
c) The government will cover the entire cost of your policy regardless of your income.
d) You will only be allowed to buy coverage if you earn less than four times the federal poverty level.
5. If you have been receiving health insurance through your employer, starting in 2014:
a) You must obtain coverage through an exchange, instead.
b) Your insurance will cover fewer services.
c) Your employer can stop covering you, if you have a preexisting medical condition.
d) Your employer can continue to offer you insurance, as in the past, as long as the coverage meets or exceeds minimum standards.
6. If you earn less than four times the federal poverty level, which of the following benefits can you receive under the health law?
a) You are exempt from the mandate requiring Americans to have health insurance.
b) You are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
c) You are automatically eligible to receive a subsidy to help cover the cost of coverage, if you buy it on an insurance exchange.
d) Your health insurance is free, if you buy it on an exchange.
7. What is the difference between insurance policies designated platinum, gold, silver, and bronze?
a) The portion of your health expenses the policy will cover.
b) The color of the ink with which the policy is printed.
c) The quality of the policy as rated by consumer groups.
d) The financial stability of the insurer that offers the policy.
8. What is a "navigator" ?
a) Someone who gives you directions to the nearest insurance office.
b) Someone who advises insurers on how much to charge for plans.
c) Someone who tells you what coverage you must buy.
d) Someone who can advise you on how to find and evaluate insurance options on an exchange.
9. Young adults up to age 26 receive which of the following benefits under the health law?
a) They are exempt from the mandate that requires every American to have health insurance.
b) They can remain on their parents' coverage, if they can't get it from an employer on their own.
c) They can automatically receive a subsidy to cover the cost of health insurance.
d) They can qualify for Medicaid regardless of their income.
10. You will not be allowed to purchase coverage through an insurance exchange if you:
a) Are self-employed.
b) Are unemployed but have a large amount of savings.
c) Are an illegal immigrant.
d) Are a smoker.
                 True  or  False
11. Insurers can charge older people more than younger people for the same coverage on an exchange.
12. Government inspectors can enter your house to check for health hazards.
13. You will not have to pay an annual deductible, if you buy your policy on an insurance exchange.
14. A government panel can prohibit your plan from covering services it considers too expensive.
15. If you buy a policy on an exchange, it must include coverage for mental health services.


                     How did you do ?

       If you got 12 to 15 answers correct, consider yourself an expert.
       If you got 9 to 12 answers correct, consider yourself above average.  You know the basics.
       If you got 7 to 9 answers correct, considered yourself about average.
       If you got fewer than 7 answers correct, you still have a lot to learn.
       But you have lots of company.  And as the rollout of the law continues, its intricacies should start to become clearer.            
                   


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Answers : 1. c ; 2. a  ; 3. c  ; 4. b  ; 5. d  ; 6. c  ; 7. a  ; 8. d  ; 9. b  ; 10. c  ; 11. True  ; 12. False  ; 13. False  ; 14. False  ; 15. True.