Today is the start of the Affordable Care Act’s fifth – and shortest – open-enrollment period. Consumers will have until midnight on Dec. 15 – just 45 days, which is half the length of past enrollment periods – to enroll in 2018 coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Here are some other important facts for consumers to know:
- The Affordable Care Act is still the law, and Americans must be enrolled in health insurance in 2018 to avoid paying a fine.
- Subsidies to help consumers pay their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs – copays and deductibles – are still available. Nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in the last open enrollment period received some financial help to cover their premium costs.
- Consumer subsidies go up or down along with premium rates, so most consumers should not feel the premium increase in their wallet.
- Consumers who already have Marketplace coverage should come back to review the new plans available for 2018, rather than automatically re-enrolling. New plans and prices are available, so consumers should make sure they are enrolled in the best plan for their family’s medical needs and budget.
- All plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace cover comprehensive care, including doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, preventive and rehabilitative care, and more.
”The most important message for consumers is: do not delay!” Jennifer Simmons, director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said. “Given the shortened enrollment period, it’s more important than ever for consumers to act now. If you have questions or don’t know where to start, our navigators are here for you. Visit our website or call us as soon as possible.”
See the press release from the NC Navigator Consortium announcing tomorrow’s start of the Affordable Care Act’s fifth — and shortest — open-enrollment period.
The NC Navigator Consortium, led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, is our state’s largest and only statewide navigator group. Amidst deep federal funding cuts to other navigator groups across the country, the Consortium received full funding and is ready to help NC consumers enroll in affordable health coverage during open enrollment.
Mark Van Arnam, the Consortium’s director of outreach, is available to answer questions and provide comment for your stories. Please contact Mark at 704-785-0839 or markv@legalaidnc.org<mailto:markv@legalaidnc.org> for more info.
Thank you!
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