Change in Family Size?

Change in family size

Know your options.

If your family is changing in size through adoption or having a baby, you could get help paying for health insurance.


Affordable Care act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes called Obamacare, is a federal law designed to make health care more affordable, accessible and of higher quality.


The percentage of the bill you pay after your deductible has been met.


A fixed amount you pay when you get a covered health service.


The annual amount you pay for covered health services before your insurance begins to pay.

emergency care services

Any covered services received in a hospital emergency room setting.

health insurance marketplace (exchange)

The government Website ( where you can purchase health insurance and see if you qualify for a tax credit (subsidy) to help pay premiums and out-of-pocket costs. 

in-network provider

A provider contracted by your insurance company to accept an agreed upon payment for covered services. 

OUT-OF-network provider

A term for providers that aren’t contracting with your insurance company. (Your out-of-pocket costs will tend to be more expensive if you go to an out-of-network provider.)


Your expenses for medical care that aren’t reimbursed by insurance, including deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments.


If you can afford health insurance, but choose not to buy it, you must have a health coverage exemption or pay a tax penalty on your federal income tax return.


The amount you pay to your health insurance company each month. 

Preventive services

Health care services that focus on the prevention of disease and health maintenance.


Services and devices to help you recover if you are injured or have surgery. This includes physical, occupational and speech therapy.

special enrollment period

The time after the Open Enrollment Period when you can still purchase health insurance only if you have a qualifying life event (losing other health coverage, having a baby, getting married, moving).


A physician who has a majority of his or her practice in fields other than internal or general medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics or family practice.


Includes behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy.

tax credit

Financial assistance from the government that helps those who are eligible pay for health insurance. Eligibility is generally determined by household income and family size.

Tiered benefit plan

A health care plan featuring multiple levels of benefits based on the network status of a particular provider.