Contact: Pam Smith, President/CEO of United Way of Washtenaw County
Phone: 734.677.7204
Email: psmith@uwwashtenaw.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Help is Available for Health Insurance Enrollment as Deadline Looms
Open enrollment for HealthCare.gov ends March 31
March 4, 2014 (Ann Arbor, MI) – The Affordable Care Act requires all individuals to have health insurance starting in 2014. The enrollment deadline for health care coverage through HealthCare.gov is March 31, 2014.
Although the launch of HealthCare.gov, also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange, initially had some enrollment problems, local agencies are now reporting many success stories as people are finding affordable health insurance coverage on the Marketplace. As of January, enrollment numbers released by the federal government indicate that 86% of Michigan residents that have enrolled through the Marketplace have been eligible for financial assistance. More than 112,000 people in Michigan have signed up through HealthCare.gov, which is well ahead of projections.
HealthCare.gov allows users to create Marketplace accounts and obtain tax credit subsidies to help with the cost of insurance premiums and for those with incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level (or about $28,000 a year for a single person) an additional cost share reduction to reduce overall out-of -pocket expenses. Marketplace account users can compare insurance plans and see premium amounts and coverage in easy-to-understand language. All offered health insurance plans cover pediatric services, chronic disease management, preventative care, hospitalizations, doctor visits, maternity care, emergency room care, and prescriptions.
For those that need extra help, there are local specialists who can guide individuals and families through the online enrollment process.
The United Way of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw Health Initiative and the Washtenaw Health Plan have been convening a group of over 50 health and human service agencies to share information, tips and experiences and work together to get Washtenaw County residents enrolled.
The group has been sharing success stories, too. One husband needed assistance choosing the right plan to cover his wife’s cancer treatments. They had been spending $1500 a month on her medical care. Now through HealthCare.gov and the available financial assistance, they were able to find a plan with a $1000 out-of-pocket maximum for the year and a $0 monthly premium with their tax credit subsidy.
Krista Nordberg, a Certified Application Counselor at the Washtenaw Health Plan, notes, “Many people just don’t know what their options are or that affordable coverage is out there. Having a variety of local places to go to for help is great for Washtenaw County residents. People have been very pleasantly surprised to find insurance options on the Marketplace that are truly affordable.”
Find more resources and a list of places to go for help at uwwashtenaw.org/enrollment.
Local Help:
Casa Latina
734-926-4656
4925 Packard Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
Appointment only
Spanish available (cont’d)
HIV/AIDS Resource Center
3075 Clark Rd. Suite 203
Ypsilanti, MI
Packard Health
734-971-1073
3174 Packard Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
– or –
Packard Health West
501 N. Maple Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI
Appointment only
Call and ask for Jennifer Green
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan
8447ENROLL@ppmchoice.org
844.7ENROLL
Multiple locations
Walk-ins and appointments available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
734-662-2829
Robert J. Delonis Center
312 W. Huron
Ann Arbor, MI
Appointment only
St. Joseph Mercy Health System
855-753-9155
www.stjoeshealth.org/aca
University of Michigan Health System (UMHS)
877-326-9155
www.uofmhealth.org/newoptions
pfc-counselors@umich.edu
Translation services available
UMHS Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools
734-998-5795
Appointment only
umhs-rahs@umich.edu
Translation services available
Washtenaw Health Plan
734-544-3030
555 Towner
Ypsilanti, MI
Walk-ins and appointments
M-F, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Spanish available
Regional Navigator – Center for Family Health
407 N. Jackson St.
Jackson, MI
Walk-ins and appointments
M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Translation services available
(Wheelchair access on 505 N. Jackson St.)
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About United Way of Washtenaw County
United Way of Washtenaw County connects people, organizations and resources together to create a thriving community for everyone. The Community Impact model focuses on health, education and financial stability issues to create opportunities for families and strengthen Washtenaw County. Over its 90 year history, it has invested more than 220 million dollars to support over 50 successful local human services agencies in a comprehensive, integrated way that created positive lasting change in Washtenaw County.