Contact: Caroline Gomez-Tom, 414-270-4677, cbgomez@wisc.edu, or Adam VanSpankeren, 608-347-0888,vanspankeren@wisc.edu.
Madison, WI— The public has a new way to find local help with enrolling in or renewing a health insurance plan. The new Wisconsin Enrollment Connector Tool lists health insurance enrollment assistance locations and appointment options convenient to areas throughout the state. Wisconsin residents can access the tool either by calling 2-1-1, where a representative can make an appointment through the Tool, or by going online to coveringwi.org to locate their closest enrollment site and booking a time to meet with a local enrollment assister.
The Connector Tool is made possible by Covering Wisconsin, with support from the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and Northwest Wisconsin CEP, and hosts appointments from health insurance Navigators and other enrollment assistant partners (agents, brokers, and certified application counselors) who are available to help people sign up for health insurance coverage across the state.
Consumers always benefit from shopping around to find the best plan that meets their needs, in terms of price, benefit package, and provider network. This year in-person enrollment assistance is more important than ever.
Experiences reported from other states have raised concerns this year about whether and what kind of plans will be available. In Wisconsin, while some plans have departed, others have joined, and Wisconsin remains one of the most competitive health insurance markets in the country. Most counties in the state will have three or more insurance carriers in the Marketplace offering multiple health plans to choose from during the upcoming open enrollment period. Consumers who need to change plans will have options and assistance available to them, and will benefit from working with an enrollment assister to find what plan will work best for them.
Many are also concerned by the news that health plan premiums are going up. Premium changes for 2017 Wisconsin health plan options vary widely, with average increase of about 16%. Nonetheless, most consumers who get coverage through the health insurance Marketplace will not be affected, as 85% qualify for federal financial assistance to purchase their health plans. The Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) provides premium subsidies in the form of tax credits, which offset the effect of premium hikes on the consumer.
Wisconsinites should be aware that if they have a plan that is no longer being offered on the Marketplace, they should choose a new plan between November 1 and December 15. If they do not choose a plan by this date, they will be auto-renewed in a similar plan from a different insurance company. The similar plan could have different costs, health care network, or covered prescriptions.
All Marketplace users will benefit by actively renewing their coverage — by going into their healthcare.gov account and reviewing their 2017 application information. Even if they plan to keep their current coverage, they may qualify for more financial assistance or can review their new options for the next enrollment year.
Navigators and other enrollment assisters are available to help consumers understand these changes and help them enroll in a new plan. Consumers can call 2-1-1 to be connected to a local Navigator or enrollment assister or go to coveringwi.org to search for assistance near you.