Agency encourages early health plan enrollment

Staff report
·3 min read

Open enrollment for health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace runs now through Jan. 15. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants consumers to know that they have until Dec. 15 to renew their coverage or enroll in a plan in order for their health insurance coverage to begin on Jan. 1. It is important to act now. If you do not take action you will not be able to get coverage for 2022 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Qualifying events for a special enrollment period include:

  • Marriage

  • Divorce

  • Loss of current coverage

  • Birth of a baby

  • Adoption of a child

  • Moving

This year, more people than ever qualify for financial assistance at www.HealthCare.gov due to provisions in the American Rescue Plan. Consumers will find affordable healthcare plans that cover everything from doctor’s visits to preventative health and prescription drugs. There are 174 insurance plans being provided by 10 companies which are available to Michigan residents.

Here are a few more facts about the Marketplace that will help you determine whether or not you need to apply for coverage:

  • The Health Insurance Marketplace is for people who don’t have health coverage. If you don't have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source that provides qualifying health coverage, the Marketplace can help you get covered. If you already have coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan, Medicaid, or MIChild you must renew every year; you should look for information in the mail from the Michigan Department of Human Services about renewal.

  • If you do have job-based insurance, you can buy a plan through the Marketplace, but you'll pay full price unless your employer's insurance doesn't meet certain standards. Most job-based plans do meet the standards.

  • Medicare is not part of the Health Insurance Marketplace, so if you have Medicare coverage now you don’t need to do anything. The Marketplace does not offer Medigap or Part D drug plans. Open enrollment period for Medicare closes on December 7th. Visit Medicare.gov for open enrollment.

  • What you pay for insurance depends on your income. Your savings depend on your expected household income for the year. Based on your income, you may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly insurance bill, and for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments.

  • Anyone with coverage through the Marketplace can keep their plan or shop for a new one. Individuals who do not log in and update their applications may be automatically enrolled in a 2022 plan. Anyone with insurance through Marketplace should log in, update their plan information, and view all plan options for 2022 to find the plan that fits best.

  • If you are uninsured, you should review options, check to see how much financial help is available, and choose the coverage that meets their needs and fits your budget. Go to www.localhelp.healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596 to find an agent near you who can assist you in finding the right plan for your needs.

Consumers should log on to www.HealthCare.gov by Jan. 15, to get the health coverage they need.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment. For more information, contact your local office, visit www.bhsj.org, follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BHSJCHA or Instagram www.instagram.com/bhsj_healthagency.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Agency encourages early health plan enrollment