Covering Kids and Families: Get Covered, Stay Covered! Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Starts November 15

Madison – With open enrollment just around the corner for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Covering Kids & Families and local health organizations remind consumers that there are plenty of resources to help consumers get – and keep – health insurance coverage. People must enroll in a plan by December 15, 2014, for coverage to start on January 1, 2015. First premiums must be paid for coverage to be effective.

Starting November 15, an easier to use healthcare.gov website, and 1,000 more national call center representatives will be available to help new and returning individuals apply for coverage. In Dane County, trained and certified assisters will be available to provide in-person help with regular hours from November 17 through February 13, and at enrollment events. Many local healthcare providers, insurance plans and some insurance agents and brokers will also be available to answer questions and enroll people. Because this open enrollment period starts on a Saturday, in-person assistance will become available on Monday, November 17.

Again in 2015, United Way of Dane County’s 2-1-1 service will have up-to-date information to refer individuals looking for enrollment assistance in public or private insurance options. Additionally, United Way is managing the HealthConnect program (www.unitedwaydanecounty.org/healthconnect/) to help Dane County residents with incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level pay premiums.

Lindsay Swindall, a licensed Navigator with Covering Kids & Families, notes, “National research shows that nine in ten uninsured people are don’t know that open enrollment starts November 15. It’s important that everyone know that free, in-person assistance is available in Dane County to help them sign up in the Marketplace.” Assistance includes helping people set up an account, review insurance plans for best fit with their healthcare needs and affordability, understand potential tax credits and cost-sharing savings, and apply for insurance. “Assisters are can also help people who bought insurance in 2014 to re-enroll or change plans, if they are not comfortable following the instructions in the renewal letters from their current insurance plan,” she adds.

In Dane County, four insurance companies offer 85 plans with varying costs, networks and services. To comply with the Affordable Care Act, each plan covers the 10 essential health benefits, and many preventive services are free. Swindall explains that the improved website with better tools to compare plans will ease enrollment.

Important steps to enroll on your own or with an assister

1. Complete an application online at healthcare.gov. Have current household income, any insurance information, and birthdates and social security or document numbers for everyone you want to insure. This allows you to check if you qualify for financial help, such as premium tax credits, too.
2. Shop for a plan that includes the providers and services you want and fits your budget.
3. Enroll in a plan. Be sure to pay your premium in time for coverage to start!

Important steps to renew your Marketplace coverage
For most people, if they do nothing, they will be auto-enrolled in the same or a similar plan. It’s simple but consumers are encouraged to update account information and check to make sure the plan is still the best fit.

1. Review notices from the Marketplace and your current plan for information about plan changes, including your costs. Please note: premium estimates are based on information you provided last It may be different for 2015; you may be eligible for new or different tax credits and cost-sharing..
2. Update your account information at healthcare.gov to get the most accurate estimate for tax credits.
3. Shop for a plan that includes the providers and services you want and fits your budget.
4. Pick a new plan, or keep the plan you already have.

Get Covered, Stay Covered
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Starting November 15, consumers can learn more about eligibility for enrollment in the Marketplace as well as BadgerCare Plus, by visiting healthcare.gov or calling the Health Insurance Marketplace national call center at 800-318-2596 (open 24 hours, 7 days a week). To find free, in-person enrollment assistance in the Dane County area, consumers should dial 2-1-1.

Find Free Local Help
United Way of Dane – Dial 2-1-1
Trained volunteers provide current enrollment resources including hours, locations and events.

Covering Kids & Families – 608-261-1455
As the federally funded Navigator for Dane County, CKF supports outreach and enrollment events, and provides information on enrollment assistance in the county.

Dane County Job Center – 1819 Aberg Avenue, Madison
Certified Application Counselors from Access Community Health Centers are at the Job Center every Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-in.

Meriter Hospital – 202 S. Park Street, Madison
Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-417-5015.

St. Mary’s Hospital – 700 S. Park Street, Madison
Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-258-6517.

Stoughton Hospital – 900 Ridge Street, Stoughton
Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-873-6611.

Independent insurance agents and brokers
Call 2-1-1 for the names of agents and brokers who work with all of the health insurance companies that can answer questions and help enroll in the Marketplace or BadgerCare Plus at no cost to you.

For information about the insurance plans
If you have specific questions about plans you looked at in the Marketplace, call the health insurance companies:

• Dean Health Plan: visit www.deancare.com or call 1-800-279-1302
• GHC (Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin): visit https://hcr.ghcscw.com or call (608) 828-4831
• Physicians Plus: visit www.pplusic.com or call 608-282-8940
• Unity Health Insurance: visit unityhealthexchange.com or call 1-800-926-8227

About Covering Kids & Families
CKF works to maximize participation in health insurance coverage and other services that promote the health and well-being of children and families, working with a statewide coalition of partners, including state and local government agencies, non-profit community-based organizations, schools, healthcare providers, insurance carriers and UW-Extension. Projects include Affordable Care Act implementation, including leading the Southern Wisconsin Navigator Collaborative, BadgerCare Plus outreach and education and health insurance literacy.