Health Care coverage open enrollment is underway!

Health Care coverage open enrollment is underway! All low-income Ohioans should be enrolled in free or reduced cost health care. People between the ages of 19-64 whose income is below 138% of the federal poverty level should apply for Medicaid and contact Legal Aid if coverage is denied or terminated.  Anyone whose income is between 100% – 400% of the federal poverty level is eligible for tax credits to reduce the cost of health coverage through the Marketplace.  Please tell anyone needing health coverage through the Marketplace about the following dates and deadlines:

• November 1, 2015. Open Enrollment began. Apply for, keep, or change your coverage.
• December 15, 2015. Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1, 2016 and to avoid a lapse in coverage.
• January 1, 2016. Coverage begins for anyone who enrolls by December 15, 2015.
• January 15, 2016. Last day to enroll for coverage starting February 1, 2016.
• January 31, 2016.  Open Enrollment ends.  Enrollments or changes made between January 16 and January 31 take effect March 1, 2016.

To buy Marketplace insurance outside of Open Enrollment after January 31, 2016, you must qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying life-changing event like marriage, birth or adoption of a child, or loss of other health coverage.

Applicants can enroll in marketplace insurance at www.healthcare.gov.

Online Medicaid information is available at www.benefits.ohio.gov.

Many organizations offer assistance to people navigating the health care system.  For example, see Neighborhood Family Practice, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Lorain Health and Dentistry, or look for a local navigator near you by going to www.localhelp.healthcare.gov.