Now that open enrollment has begun (Nov. 1 – Jan. 1, 2017) for the health insurance Marketplace, local assisters are available in your area to help in-person and at no charge, to get you enrolled and to find financial help to lower costs.
The Cover Missouri Coalition said busy insurance shoppers could save time by visiting assisters for the free help in selecting an insurance plan and getting enrolled.
“This year is as important as ever for Missourians to seek help when signing up for insurance as many will need to select a new participating plan to be eligible for financial help and continue receiving coverage through the Marketplace,” Nancy Kelley, Expanding Coverage program director, Missouri Foundation for Health, said. “It’s critical that consumers visit an assister for free help to explore their options for 2017 health coverage.”
At Healthcare.gov, there are 23 health coverage plans available in the St. Louis area, offered by two insurers, Cigna Healthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. There are four insurers across the state.
If your current insurer dropped out of the Marketplace for 2017, Marketplace CEO Kevin Counihan told The American that the coverage was automatically moved to participating plan.
1051”If they are in the two that bowed out this year, they would automatically be transferred to one of the remaining two, so that they would make sure there was continuity of coverage, and they will be receiving notices, if they having already, about what that coverage is,” Counihan explained.
Similar to when you competitively shop for homeowner’s or car insurance, Counihan said when you shop around, you can get a better deal.
“What we strongly encourage everybody to do, no matter whether their existing carriers are in the market or not, is to go back to healthcare.gov, or call the call center at 800-318-2596, or speak to a broker, an assister … and say, ‘What are my options?’”
The Cover Missouri Coalition website (covermissouri.org) also includes a “Find Local Help” tool and a dedicated toll-free call center (800-466-3213 or Spanish 855-284-3236) where consumers can find and make an appointment with a local assister.
St. Louis area Cosmetologist Ronita Herron has not decided whether she will utilize an assister, but she is looking for health coverage that fits into her budget and lifestyle. As a healthy woman with no health issues, Herron said during the first year of the Marketplace, she went through all of the steps for coverage, but decided against it.
“Last year I was full time working at an agency, so I used that [health insurance], but I am now back at the point where I have to figure out what to do, since I am uninsured right now,” Herron said.
Deciding against health insurance now will cost you later, when you file income taxes.
Persons who choose not to enroll in 2017 health coverage must pay one of two amounts when they file their income taxes, whichever is greater:
- 2.5 percent of their yearly household income, or
- $695 per person ($347.50 per child under 18)
The enrollment period will remain open until Jan. 31, 2017. Enrolling before Dec. 15 will start coverage beginning on Jan. 1.
“Hopefully, there are more affordable packages for people who don’t really use insurance, and are self-employed and single,” Herron said.
For more information on health care options in Missouri, please visit healthcare.gov and covermissouri.org.
Are you already in the marketplace? While automatic re-enrollment keeps you covered, new plans may better meet your needs and your expected income and household information must be updated for the coming year.
For more information, visit the Q & A at https://www.healthcare.gov/keep-or-change-plan/.
Find an assister in your area by going online to http://bit.ly/1OvSib2
