Open enrollment in the national Healthcare Marketplace begins on November 1, 2015. Several Kalamazoo County organizations have teamed up to help people navigate through the enrollment process. The program, Enroll Kalamazoo County, is once again providing free in-person assistance during a series of upcoming events.
Certified Application Counselors will be available during these events to offer free one-on-one assistance to answer questions about plan selection, cost, provider options, and to help navigate the healthcare.gov website.
Important Dates for 2016 Coverage:
Open enrollment is November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. If you haven’t enrolled in coverage by January 31, you generally can’t buy Marketplace health insurance coverage for 2016, and may have to pay a significant penalty.
Re-enrollment/update coverage deadline is December 15, 2015. Anyone who purchased insurance through the Marketplace in 2015 will be automatically re-enrolled into a comparable plan for 2016 unless a new plan is selected by December 15. It’s important to compare plans and update information through healthcare.gov as pricing has changed and to ensure tax credits are calculated correctly for 2015. All plans purchased through the Federal Marketplace Exchange expires December 31.
Enroll Kalamazoo County encourages those who want help with renewals or for signing-up for health insurance to attend a session from 4-7 p.m., Nov. 10, at the Vicksburg Library sponsored by South County Community Services.
Attendees will need to provide a social security number or document number for immigrants. They will also need to bring their email address, estimated income information for 2016, and policy numbers for any current health insurance plan they may already have. No appointment is necessary.
Contact Enroll Kalamazoo by calling (269) 341-6263, or visiting enrollkalamazoocounty.com or find it on Facebook at facebook.com/enroll.kalamazoo.
Enroll Kalamazoo is a collaborative effort to improve access to healthcare through the coordination of education and outreach activities. Formed in November 2013, the organization provides coordination for community agencies engaged in education and healthcare enrollment activities related to Health Insurance Marketplaces and Medicaid Expansion.
Enroll Kalamazoo partners include Bronson Healthcare, Kalamazoo Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Kalamazoo Health & Community Services, Senior Services, Family & Children Services, Comstock Community Center, Family Health Center of Kalamazoo, Ministry with Community, Borgess Health, 211, Western Michigan University, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Sindecuse Health Center, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Portage Public Library, Michigan Primary Care Association, K College, Milan Salon, and Planned Parenthood.