Suppose you use the VHA for all your health care needs but want to price and perhaps add a private health insurance plan for extra security.  Perhaps you want to be able to consult with a particular specialist.  Or worry that you might break or shatter your ankle somewhere far from a VA facility.  If you go to a private hospital’s ER, and the VA doesn’t consider your problem a true EMERGENCY, they won’t pick up the tab.  

Depending on your income and other factors, your premium for dual coverage may be affordable in 2014 when ACA is implemented.

If you live in these states, go to :https://www.healthcare.gov/

Alabama

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illlinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

These states have their own websites so go here if you live in:

California: http://www.coveredca.com/
Colorado: http://www.connectforhealthco.com/
Connecticut: http://www.accesshealthct.com/
District of Columbia: http://hbx.dc.gov/
Hawaii: http://www.hawaiihealthconnector.com/
Kentucky: http://kynect.ky.gov/
Maryland: http://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/
Massachuetts: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector
Minnesota: http://mn.gov/hix/
Nevada: http://exchange.nv.gov/
New Mexico: http://www.nmhia.com/
New York: http://healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov/
Oregon: http://coveroregon.com/
Vermont: http://healthconnect.vermont.gov/
Washington: http://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/

The laggard states are Idaho and Rhode Island:

Idaho: http://gov.idaho.gov/priorities/Exchange.html

Rhode Island:  http://www.governor.ri.gov/healthcare/message/

If you live in a territory, you can’t buy in the HIXs.

Emergency room costs are exorbitant.  These experiences are worth reading about: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/health/07patients.html?_r=2&