Starting October 1, consumers will be able to shop for health insurance plans. This will be a huge benefit to many people. There are several things you must be aware of if you are required to obtain coverage. Make sire that you fully understand what you are signing up for.

1- If you are required to buy coverage and you do not, you will pay a fine. Fines will increase every year.

2- If you expect a subsidy to help pay for your insurance, you must obtain at least a silver level plan. There are 4 plan levels and silver is the second highest.

3- In addition to paying a premium for your selected plan, you will also be required to pay deductibles and coinsurance. You may receive a subsidy for these costs too, but you will be paying something.

4- Deductibles are the amount you pay before insurance starts to pay. Deductibles may be small (but the monthly premium will be higher) or large. Common will be $1000 and $2000 per year deductibles for an individual. There may be a separate deductible for prescriptions.

5- There may also be a copay each time you receive a service. For example, some plans may not charge you the first few times you see your family doctor, but after that you may have to pay a fee such as $45 for a visit to your family doctor or $65 for a visit to a pdoc or therapist. You may have to pay $250 or more if you go to an emergency room.

6- Also, some plans may make you pay more or will not pay at all if you go to an out of network provider.

7- Some medications may not be covered under all plans, or plans may have a very high copay for some medications.

8- If you or your family make 401% over the minimum poverty level, there are no subsidies.

In conclusion, under Obamacare, you may be paying
premium+deductible+medication deductible+coinsurance.

For example, a single person at an income of 401% of the federal poverty level may pay $3000 ($250 per month) plus $2000 health deductible plus $500 medication deductible plus a copay for each visit and each medication every year!

There is, however an overall limit on the percentage of income you may have to pay for healthcare. I do not yet understand that part fully but I will keep researching this entire topic.