As of January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires you to have health insurance for yourself and your dependents. Some people are exempt from this requirement. To learn how to apply for an exemption, see Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision, http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-SharedResponsibility-Provision. If you do not have health insurance and you are not exempt, you may be subject to a penalty (see http://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-someone-doesn't-have-health-coverage-in- 2014).

Enrollment in TRS-ActiveCare meets the requirement for health insurance. The TRSActiveCare Enrollment Guide explains who is eligible to enroll in ActiveCare. Enrollment in another plan, such as through a spouse, parent, or association, also satisfies the requirement to have health insurance if the plan provides minimum essential coverage.

As an alternative to ActiveCare or another health insurance program, you may enroll in insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. In Texas, the Marketplace is a federal government program that will offer “one-stop shopping” to find and compare private health insurance options. Most individuals are eligible to enroll in insurance through the Marketplace. The Marketplace will begin annual enrollment in October for coverage effective the following January. For information on the Marketplace, see www.healthcare.gov.

You may be eligible for a premium tax credit or other assistance toward insurance obtained through the Marketplace, depending on your household income. More information on the premium tax credit and other cost-sharing provisions is available at www.healthcare.gov. Please note that the district will not contribute to premium costs if you enroll in insurance through the Marketplace. Also, you will lose the benefit of paying the premium with pre-tax income if you purchase insurance through the Marketplace.

You are encouraged to enroll in ActiveCare during annual open enrollment if you are eligible. You will not be able to enroll in ActiveCare outside of the Open Enrollment period (July-Aug) to avoid the ACA penalty unless you experience a special enrollment event. If you enroll during the District’s Open Enrollment period, the District’s Section 125 plan (cafeteria plan) does not permit you to drop insurance before the end of the plan year.

Additional information. If you have questions or concerns about the health insurance offered through the district, please contact the GPISD Benefits Office at (832) 386-1507. Questions about the Marketplace and how the Affordable Care Act impacts you as an individual should be addressed to www.healthcare.gov or your personal attorney.