Originally published September 25, 2013, last updated September 25, 2013

Confused about the Affordable Care Act?

You are not alone. Let Medicare MarketPlace clear up the confusion.

With all of the media coverage and debate about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – also called Obamacare and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – it’s easy to be confused.

About 17 percent of people age 65 and older incorrectly believe that the ACA replaces their Medicare with insurance policies purchased online through the state and federal health insurance exchanges, according to a study that recently appeared in USA TODAY.

Here are two things to remember:

• Medicare isn’t part of the Health Insurance Marketplace – also referred to as insurance exchanges -- established by ACA.  Medicare enrollment will stay as it always has. Open enrollment, the period of time when you can enroll in and switch Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage plans, runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

• Do not confuse your Medicare open enrollment with the opening of the new healthcare exchanges.  They both kick off in October – which is adding to the confusion – but are different. The ACA calls for the uninsured to start shopping for healthcare at these exchanges Oct. 1. Just remember that Medicare open enrollment is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

To answer the many questions surrounding the new healthcare law, AARP has created an easy-to-use interactive tool.

Need more help figuring out which Medicare plan will be best for you? Visit www.MedicareMarketPlace.com or call a benefit advisor at 1-800-554-2559.