CRESTVIEW — For people who need help comparing plans or applying for the Health Insurance Marketplace, North Okaloosa Medical Center is offering free assistance during the Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2017 open enrollment period.
Appointments may be made with the hospital’s certified assisters by calling 689-8170 or booking at www.GetCoveredAmerica.org/connector.
The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, and this year’s open enrollment marks the fourth annual campaign to extend health care coverage to citizens who would otherwise be uninsured.
News of several large insurers reducing their participation in the upcoming Marketplace, or exiting it all together, has spurred concern about rising premiums and higher deductibles. However, Kaiser Health News reports that most enrollees will be insulated from premium increases, since eight in 10 receive subsidies based on income and household size. KHN also projects any changes to premiums or deductibles will vary state to state and, in some instances, county to county, since the number of insurers in each location influences competitive pricing, and insurers continuously enter and exit different markets.
“There are always questions concerning changes to premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket limits before open enrollment launches each year,” Ronnie Daves, CEO of North Okaloosa Medical Center, said. “This will always be the case as insurers enter and exit different markets. But what is consistent, year to year, is the value of the Marketplace. Millions of people are able to sign up for insurance who otherwise wouldn’t have access to care, or who would face a financial crisis due to medical bills.”
The government uses household income to determine who is eligible for financial assistance. This aid might include advanced tax credits to help pay for premiums, or discounts on co-pays and deductibles. Most enrollees are expected to qualify for some type of financial support in 2017. Individuals re-enrolling in the marketplace should re-evaluate and compare plans, as the lowest-cost option can change from year to year.
“I think this is where our certified assisters add so much value,” Daves said. “They know how to explain the pros and cons of each option, and they carefully screen each person to make sure any subsidies toward premiums, or any discounts available for deductibles or co-pays, are accessed.”
All Marketplace health plans must offer comprehensive benefits, and coverage cannot be denied for individuals with a pre-existing health condition. Some health benefits include free preventive care and wellness services; doctor visits, prescription drugs, hospital and emergency department care, lab services, pediatric services, and mental and behavioral health treatment.
Individuals eligible for health insurance who do not purchase coverage not only pay a penalty when filing their tax return, but they also forfeit financial help with healthcare expenses throughout the year. The penalty is either 2.5 percent of family income or a predetermined flat rate, whichever is higher. The 2016 penalty was $695 per adult, $347.50 per child, with a maximum fee of $2,085; these fees will be adjusted for inflation in 2017.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free Health Insurance Marketplace assistance available