The Affordable Care Act went into effect this month, but if you are not yet covered by health insurance, you have until March 31 this year to finalize your plans and enroll.

If you are covered under your employer’s health plan, you can stay there—though you may want to compare it with other options. If you are on Medicare, you’re still covered, and there are some new pluses for preventive care and drugs.

All plans must offer the same set of essential benefits, but plans can offer additional benefits. There are four plan levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum; lower premiums usually come with higher out-of-pocket costs. Annual out-of-pocket costs cannot exceed $6,350 for individuals or $12,700 for a family.

Generous subsidies will make it easier to pay for premiums. Families of four with modified adjusted gross income up to $94,000 are eligible for some help.

For nearly 30 years, Mike Nickerson has owned and managed a small, full-service accounting practice in the Midcoast. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Southern Main and a master's degree in financial planning from Bentley University.

He is a past board member and president of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and currently serves on the Maine Board of Accountancy.

An aged rock musician, Nickerson now finds musical enjoyment playing upright and electric bass in a variety of bands spanning folk to jazz music genres. He and his wife have three grown children, and they enjoy their free time hiking, kayaking, golfing, bicycling and motorcycling.

http://www.nickersonpa.com/