Open Enrollment has begun! Open Enrollment is the time every year when people who do not have health insurance through their job, and cannot get insurance through Medicaid or other programs, can apply for insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at www.healthcare.gov. This year’s Open Enrollment period is shorter than last year’s — November 1st to December 15. Spread the word, and make sure to sign up while you can!
Health insurance plans are available for many types of people, including people with disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, and pre-existing conditions. If you have a major life change, like having a baby, you may qualify for an ACA plan as well.
Most people qualify for financial help. When you apply for insurance, the form will ask you to enter your income and the number of people in your household. It will tell you your estimated savings based off of that information. Eight out of ten people can find a plan for under $75 per month.
ACA plans cover many services, including:
- Doctor’s visits
- Emergency room visits
- Treatment in the hospital
- Care before and after a baby is born
- Mental health services and substance use disorder services
- Your prescription drugs
- Ongoing care for injuries, disabilities and chronic conditions
- Lab tests
- Preventative services
- Pediatric services
You can sign up for a plan under the Affordable Care Act by going to healthcare.gov before December 15. The website will be closed every Sunday for maintenance, so make sure to apply on weekdays or Saturdays.
If you need help understanding what plan is best for you, free help is available in over 200 languages at 1-800-318-2596. To find free help locally, click here and enter your zipcode.
We are giving you the facts, and asking you to share those facts with others, so that everyone who needs insurance understands how to get it. If you need health insurance, now is the time to sign up! If you know someone who needs health insurance, help them apply. Finally, please spread the word, so that everyone who needs to can #getcovered!