The Health Insurance Marketplace is still open for business. Open enrollment for 2018 Marketplace insurance plans begins November 1 and runs through December 15, 2017.
Although the open enrollment period is much shorter this year, many of the same insurance plans are still available to qualified consumers. Free local help is still available too, through Certified Application Counselors in community health clinics and certified Navigators with the WV Healthy Start Navigator Project.
Five Tips for Open Enrollment:
- Check out the new 2018 plans and prices. Once again, 55 counties across West Virginia will be able to choose plans from Highmark West Virginia and 32 counties will be able to choose between Highmark West Virginia and Caresource Insurance. Even if you’ve shopped before, it’s still a good idea to take a look at the new 2018 insurance plans.
- Find out if you qualify for financial help. Cost sharing reductions will still be available, just as they have been in the past under the Affordable Care Act. The Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) continues to cover the percentage increases and 86% of those consumers currently covered will not feel the change. Most West Virginians will continue to qualify for help paying their premiums.
- Talk with a free, local in-person assister. Health insurance prices on the Marketplace are very personalized for each family. Family size, household income, geographic location and ages of those applying for coverage are all considered as part of the application. Because of this, prices can vary widely from household to household. Talking to an in-person assister can help you determine the affordability of health insurance for your family.
- If you already have Marketplace coverage, actively renew your plan for 2018. Even if you want to keep your current plan, it’s important to update your application. Consumer premiums are based on a percentage of your household income so as health insurance costs increase, so does your financial help. If you’ve received a renewal letter showing much higher premiums, you MUST actively update your application for current tax credits to be applied. Local in-person assisters are also available to help you with this process.
- Take advantage of the many benefits health coverage now offers. The Affordable Care Act requires that health plans cover preventive services with no cost to the consumer. This means annual well visits, flu shots, screening mammograms/colonoscopies, and cholesterol and blood pressure screenings are covered free of charge (no copays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs). Additionally, those with pre-existing conditions can no longer be discriminated against or charged more for coverage.
It’s also important to remember that the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land and the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) continues to have an obligation to administer this health care law. For the 2018 filing period, the IRS will not accept electronically filed tax returns until the taxpayer indicates they had health insurance coverage, an exemption or will be making a shared responsibility penalty payment for the 2017 tax year.
Anyone with questions or in need of assistance may contact Carol Cain Bush, Certified Navigator with the WV Healthy Start Navigator Project at 304-614-6848 or ccbush@hsc.wvu.edu. More information can also be found at www.healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
