2017 Obamacare Arizona: costs, eligibility, deadlines and more

Impact

The battle to keep or repeal the Affordable Care Act is just beginning. While Vice President-elect Mike Pence and other Republicans have vowed to repeal the ACA, President Barack Obama made a visit to Capitol Hill urging Democrats to defend it

For now, though, those interested can still enroll in health insurance plans under the ACA. If you live in Arizona and are thinking about registering for health insurance, this information may come in handy.

Deadline: Jan. 31

Open enrollment for 2017 health insurance runs until Jan. 31. Arizona residents can visit HealthCare.gov to choose their health care plan, receive financial benefits or any other type of help. 

Cost and eligibility 

Ross D. Franklin/AP

According to the organization Cover Arizona, 3 out of 4 Arizona residents were expected to pay $100 or less for health insurance per month in 2016, and 2 out of 4 were to pay $50 or less. In 2015, 8 out of 10 Arizonians with a marketplace plan received subsidized coverage.

Keep in mind that costs vary according to household income and number of dependents. This online calculator will help you determine what you qualify for. 

If your income is low, you may qualify for free or low out-of-pocket costs through Medicaid in Arizona. Visit the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System website for more information. 

It's the law 

Health care coverage is the law. If you don't have it, you could face a fine; if you can afford health insurance but choose not to purchase it, you must pay a fee called the "individual shared responsibility payment."

The fee for not having insurance this year is $695 per adult, $347.50 per child under 18, and the maximum fee can reach up to $2,085. The fee is also calculated as 2.5% of your income or a total yearly premium for the national average price of a bronze plan sold through the marketplace.