Open Enrollment for health insurance plans on the Marketplace begins November 1, 2016 and runs through January 31, 2017. Free local help is available through regional Certified Application Counselors located in community health clinics or by contacting a certified Navigator with the WV Healthy Start Navigator Project.
Following are 5 Tips for Health Insurance Open Enrollment:
1. New plans and prices are available for 2017. 31 counties across West Virginia will have plan choices from two companies: Highmark West Virginia and Caresource. Even if you’ve shopped before, it’s a good idea to look at the new options available for 2017.
2. Most West Virginians qualify for financial help, and 70% will be able to find a plan for less than $75 per month. Additionally, 85% of all West Virginians qualify for tax credits, which are used to lower the cost of monthly premiums. These tax credits increase along with premiums, and they protect the majority of consumers from rate increases, including those that have been in the news recently.
3. Talk with a free, local in-person assister if you are uninsured. Health insurance prices on the Marketplace are very personalized for each family: they take into account family size, household income, geographic location, and ages of those applying for coverage. Because of this, prices can vary widely from family to family. Consult with an in-person assister to determine if health coverage will truly be affordable for your family.
4. If you already have Marketplace coverage, it is recommended that you actively renew your plan for 2017. More than 7 in 10 Marketplace consumers could save an average of $682 in annual premiums next year if they came back to shop for another plan within their current metal level. Even if you want to keep your current plan, it’s important to actively renew your application. As health insurance premiums increase, so does your financial help (to ensure that you are still paying an affordable percentage of your household income towards health coverage). This is why your premiums on your renewal letters may look higher than expected- you MUST actively update your application for your updated tax credits to be applied. Please reach out to in-person assisters for help to ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of financial help.
5. Health coverage offers many benefits. The Affordable Care Act requires that health plans cover preventive services with no cost to the consumer. This means an annual well visit, 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.
Consumers wanting new or continuous insurance coverage starting January 1, 2017 must contact the Marketplace by December 15, 2016. Anyone with questions or in need of assistance may contact or schedule an appointment with Carol Bush, Certified Navigator with the WV Healthy Start Navigator Project at 304-630-6225 or ccbush@hsc.wvu.edu. More information can also be found at www.healthcare.gov.
Carol Bush
Elkins, WV