Costs can vary depending on your age, income, household size, location, and the type of plan you choose (Bronze, Silver, Gold). But many Idahoans qualify for tax credits that significantly lower monthly premiums—some plans even start as low as $0 per month after credits are applied. The best way to get an accurate quote is to give us a call or click this link to go to Your Health Idaho's quoting tool. https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/pre-eligibility

I can help you review your options at no cost to you.

Yes—but you may not qualify for tax credits if your employer’s health plan is considered affordable and meets minimum coverage standards under the law. If your employer coverage is too expensive (typically more than 9.12% of your household income) or doesn’t meet minimum value, you might be eligible for subsidized coverage through Your Health Idaho. Even if you're offered employer coverage, it's worth checking with us here at Longwill Insurance to see if the exchange is a better option for your situation. I can help you run the numbers and explore your eligibility. If you feel your insurance through your employer is "unaffordable", click this link to check out Your Health Idaho's affordability calculator. https://affordability.yourhealthidaho.org/

There’s no minimum income required to apply for a health plan through Your Health Idaho—but to qualify for tax credits that lower your monthly premium, your estimated household income generally needs to fall between 138% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Give us a call and we can help you check your eligibility based on your household size and income.

Any Idaho resident who is a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, not incarcerated, and not eligible for other qualifying coverage like Medicaid, Medicare, or employer-sponsored insurance.

You typically can’t enroll in health insurance at just any time. Instead, enrollment is limited to specific periods. The main opportunity is the Open Enrollment Period, which runs each year from October 15 to December 15. During this time, you can apply for coverage or make changes to your existing plan without needing a special reason.

Outside of this window, you must experience a Qualifying Life Event—such as moving, getting married, having a baby, losing other coverage, or similar changes—to be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. These special windows usually last 60 days from the date of the event.

Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC) are subsidies provided in advance to help lower the cost of your health insurance right away. Unlike other tax credits that you typically claim when you file your taxes, APTCs are applied upfront to reduce your monthly premium payments. This can make your health insurance much more affordable on a month-to-month basis, easing the financial burden of maintaining coverage.

When you apply for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC), the amount you receive is based on the income you estimate for the year. For example, if you report that you expect to earn $50,000 but end up making $75,000, you’ll likely need to repay part of the tax credit when you file your taxes. On the other hand, if you earn less than you estimated, you may qualify for additional credit and receive a refund when you file your return.

When you work with us at Longwill Insurance, our top priority before recommending any health plan is to narrow down options that include your current doctors and prescriptions. We understand how frustrating it can be to have an established relationship with a provider, only to find out your new plan doesn’t cover them. Our goal is to help you choose coverage that works seamlessly with your existing care, so you don’t have to disrupt what’s already working well for you.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health plans on the exchange cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of pre-existing conditions. In fact, one of the main goals of the ACA was to eliminate this issue, which was common before the law was enacted. You can feel confident that no matter which plan you choose, your pre-existing conditions will be covered.

On the exchange, you can only enroll in a health plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events (like moving, losing other coverage, or having a baby). However, you can cancel your plan at any time. Just keep in mind that if you cancel, you won’t be able to enroll again until the next Open Enrollment Period or unless you experience another qualifying event.

Some dental or vision plans may require a contract commitment, but health plans through the exchange do not.

That’s exactly where Longwill Insurance comes in. You don’t have to be the expert—we are! Rely on our experience to help you choose a plan that truly fits your needs. Many people try to navigate the process alone, only to discover after enrolling that their plan doesn’t work for them. Unfortunately, in many cases, that mistake can’t be fixed until the next Open Enrollment Period or a qualifying event, which could be months away. Our guidance comes at no cost to you, so let us help you get it right the first time.

That’s a great question—and a tricky one to answer. The main way to reduce your health insurance costs is to choose a plan with lower coverage, such as a Bronze plan, which typically has higher out-of-pocket costs but lower premiums. Some people also consider going without health insurance altogether, though this carries significant financial risk.

Outside of the exchange, there are options like health share programs. However, these alternatives don’t meet ACA requirements, often lack guarantees, and can leave you without coverage when you need it most. Additionally, there are many misleading or fraudulent plans in the market, so it’s important to be cautious.

If you’re exploring ways to lower your costs, we’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons and avoid potential pitfalls.