If it seems like we’re posting a lot of information about health care reform (often referred to as ObamaCare or the Affordable Care Act), it’s because we are. Reforming a nation’s health care system is complex and will affect a lot of people living with HIV — but it doesn’t have to be scary.

AFC has designed a great tool to ensure that your journey to affordable health care is as smooth as possible. We call it the health care reform passport!

Before you roll your eyes, don’t worry—the health care reform passport is not your usual, overwhelming, ten-page document. Rather, it’s a quick tool that will help you to navigate health care reform changes one step at a time. We designed it for both individuals living with HIV and their providers.

The passport is divided into two parts:

Part 1 asks a series of Yes/No questions to help you figure out where YOU fit into health care reform, and to help you understand new health care options. Click here to view Illinois’s Q&A: Where do you fit?

Part 2 asks you to list the medications and health services that you currently receive, and it will help you gather the right documents if a change is coming your way. Click here to view Illinois: Passport Check-list.

Remember, enrollment in the new health care programs starts October 1. This date is critical, and we encourage you to circle it on your calendar with a highlighter.

Online marketplaces (that is, website hubs that will help you compare health care plans and find the deal that’s best for you) aren’t live yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as they are.

If you live in Cook County, you may be able to enroll in an early health care reform program called CountyCare, open today! Use the health care reform passport to find out if you might qualify.

If you don’t live in Illinois, check out these editable versions of the passport and make appropriate changes for your state:

Editable: Q&A Where do you fit?

Editable: Passport Check-list

All this text just isn’t for you? Tune into our podcast Unwrapping ObamaCare to hear the who, what, when, where, and why of health reform!

Additional resources:
•    Where is your health care headed?
•    Health care reform and YOU: For Illinois Residents with HIV
•    How people will get care in 2014: For Chicago Residents with HIV
•    Comparing Ryan White, Medicaid, and the Benchmark plan: For Illinois