This is the time to think about health insurance. If you don’t have employer insurance or coverage from Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP, you’ll need to renew or get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Here are a few important tips for this year:
- The open enrollment period for coverage in 2017 is November 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017. That’s when you must choose your plan.
- If you have certain life changes, like moving to a new state, getting married, having a child, or losing health coverage, you may qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period,” and can buy or change coverage at another time. Remember that BCHC can help you all year!
- Based on income and family size, the Marketplace can tell you if you qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or lower cost on a private plan. Even if you don’t get lower costs, you can still buy coverage through the Marketplace.
- Make sure to use the right website – it is www.Healthcare.gov. Some companies out there pretend to be the Marketplace with similar names, but they are not the real site.
If you bought insurance last year through the Marketplace, and your plan is being discontinued, you should be hearing from your insurance company now. Even if your plan is still available, you should go to www.Healthcare.gov for the latest information and see what other choices you have.
Just like the past three years, Berks Community Health Center offers help with the Marketplace. Our certified Navigators and Enrollment Assisters have been trained to help with accessing the Marketplace website. Although they cannot tell you which plan to choose, they can help you get online and get your application started. The assistance is completely free.
For an appointment, call BCHC Outreach at 484-772-4080.
Aidelsa Fernandez and Margaret Fortunet
Outreach Specialists
Berks Community Health Center
