Farmers, ranchers and rural residents in general may see little or no change in where, how and what they pay for insurance following implementation of the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Exchange.

But they also may have more choices, fewer restrictions, especially for those who have pre-existing conditions, and possibly lower premiums.

“Buying insurance for rural families will not be much different than shopping for private insurance before the Affordable Care Act,” says Joyce Cavanagh, Texas AgriLife associate professor and Extension family economics specialist at College Station. “But they may have more luck,” especially if they have been buying private insurance. The exchange offers a new vehicle to shop for insurance based on needed coverage and price.

To read more about the new policies, click here.

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