May 19—For soon-to-be-laid-off Pactiv Evergreen employees, the clock is ticking to figure out what to do about their health insurance.

Wading through the options is a daunting and high-stakes affair given the myriad variables of each plan. That's why four organizations have teamed up to help families work through which option best suits their individual situation.

On May 23 and 24, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Haywood Community College, Haywood County Health and Human Services and Mountain Projects will guide Pactiv Evergreen employees — or representatives from their household — through the different health plans available.

The session takes about an hour, and walk-ins are welcome, but there are only 160 appointment slots that will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Appointments can be reserved in advance online.

Jan Plummer, a certified health insurance counselor with Mountain Projects, ticked through some of the concerns employees may have.

Is it best to remain on the company insurance plan and pay premiums out-of-pocket after the company's cost share expires at the end of July? If deductibles have already been met, would a COBRA (continuation of benefits) option make more sense economically? Are they financially eligible for subsidies on the federal healthcare marketplace?

If they have another job lined up, how long is the waiting period for benefits through their new employer to kick in? Yet another option is to compare costs to be on the policy of a spouse.

Plummer said mill employees have had a difficult insurance experience this year. They started the year with one insurance plan. A different plan kicked in in March when a new master labor agreement was approved. Workers who had already met or partially met their deductibles had to start over under the new plan, and may now be looking at starting over on meeting deductible yet agin.

Now many are faced with yet another change: getting a new plan or staying on the existing one, which means paying the full cost of premiums out of pocket come Aug. 1, of up to $2,400 a month.

"We realize employees are working long shifts, so we encourage family members to stop by get an idea of the available options," Plummer said.

All these issues and more can be explored with experienced healthcare navigators who know the ins and outs of health insurance options and who will be able to help each employee or family member sort through the choices.

Hours both days are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a break at the noon hour, and will be held in the lobby of the HCC auditorium. Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina will give a $10 gas card to help defray transportation costs. To schedule an appointment and for a list of documents to bring, go to milltownstrong.com/health-insurance-help.