Time is running out to sign up for insurance
<p>FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2013, file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Barack Obama’s budget pushes the HHS budget over $1 trillion for the first time, reflecting an aging population adding to the Medicare rolls, as well as expanded coverage for younger people through the new health law. HHS runs Medicare, Medicaid and the insurance expansion in Obama's health overhaul law, which together provide coverage for about 1 in 3 Americans. Its growing prominence in the federal budget reflects the rise of benefi…
Procrastinators, it’s time.
The March 31 deadline to sign up for health insurance is coming up fast. This is the last chance this year for uninsured individuals to purchase individual insurance. If you are uninsured, visit www.healthcare.gov today. There you can apply for coverage and likely receive tax credits to help you buy insurance. Enrollment help is also available at The Northwest Community Health Center.
With the credits, insurance may be far more affordable than you think. Tens of thousands of Montanans have already signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace, and 85 percent have received help paying for their coverage.
These Montanans now have high-quality insurance plans that cover doctor’s office visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, mental health and emergency care. In addition, all plans cover free preventive care and early detection screenings. None of these Montanans were denied coverage or treatment for pre-existing conditions, thanks to new protections in the healthcare reform law. They have all gained the peace of mind that comes with insurance – and you can, too, if you act now.
At The Northwest Community Health Center we want our patients and all members of our community to be healthy. We provide primary care, dental and behavioral health on a sliding scale, so that everyone, regardless of income or insurance, can see a primary care doctor. Quality primary care is fundamental to good health, but sometimes patients need additional treatment for cancer or diabetes or other conditions – and they need health insurance to access it.
That’s why we are committed to helping Montanans sign up for health insurance. So far, we have helped more than 1,200 people in our community explore their insurance options.
After doing so many enrollments, we have some tips for those who still need to sign up:
• Act now – don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself extra time to get through the application process because sometimes glitches happen.
• Look beyond the premium. Lower premiums typically correspond with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs – make sure you can afford these costs if you choose a lower premium plan.
• If you have a doctor or healthcare provider that you like and want to keep, make sure you choose an insurance plan that he or she accepts. Call your doctor or the insurance company to find out.
• Remember that you need to pay your first month’s premium before your coverage can begin.
• After you are enrolled, make sure you tell the Marketplace about any major life changes – for example, if you lose your job, get a raise, get married or have a baby. Some life changes may allow you to update your coverage, add family members or get a lower cost plan.
There is one notable exception to the availability of affordable insurance. Because our state legislature failed to expand Medicaid, members of our community who make the least do not qualify for any help accessing health insurance. They are neither eligible for tax credits nor Medicaid and have no other option but to remain uninsured.
Even if you are in this Medicaid gap, it’s a good idea to create an account with the Marketplace to receive an exemption from the tax penalty. Additionally, if your income increases, you may become eligible for tax credits and a special enrollment period. We also encourage you to sign up for the NCHC’s sliding scale services, so that you can see a primary-care doctor.
If you have questions about any of this, we are here to help. One of our certified application counselors can sit down with you to walk you through the process. Contact Teresa or Haley at 406 283-6920
At The Northwest Community Health Center we will continue to provide primary care to everyone who comes through our door, regardless if the person has insurance. But primary care only goes so far. If you are in a major accident or are diagnosed with cancer and don’t have insurance, you’re unlikely to be able to pay for that care on a sliding scale.
This is your last chance to purchase health insurance this year.
(Maria Clemons is executive director of the Northwest Community Health Center.)