ACA enrollment ends Friday. Free enrollment events near you. Visit NCNavigator.net or call 1-855-733-3711 for help.
RALEIGH · DEC 13, 2017 – “We are here to tell you that there is still time for North Carolinians to sign up for the Affordable Care Act,” Gov. Roy Cooper said at a free enrollment event today in Raleigh. “You have until midnight on Friday, December the 15th to get online and insure your families.”
“Now is the time to do it,” he said.
Today’s event, hosted by Alliance Medical Ministry, is one of many being held around the state this week. Enrollment events give consumers a chance to get free, in-person help from expert navigators who are trained to help consumers understand the ins and outs of enrolling on HealthCare.gov, the federal Health Insurance Marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act.
The free enrollment events are being sponsored by the NC Navigator Consortium, the largest navigator group in North Carolina. A full list of events is attached to this release (see below) and available on NCNavigator.net (scroll down to Enrollment Events).
All enrollment events are completely free and open to the public. Walk-in appointments are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but consumers are encouraged to schedule appointments by calling 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or using the online Get Covered Connector. Consumers can also schedule appointments outside of enrollment events.
“We’re here at the last minute, don’t delay any longer,” Jennifer Simmons, director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said at today’s event. “Help is here if you need it,” she said. “There are assisters across the state of North Carolina that are available and would love to help you complete your enrollment.”
Consumers can also enroll on their own by visiting HealthCare.gov or by contacting the HealthCare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596 (toll-free).
Here are some important facts for consumers to know:
- The Affordable Care Act is still the law, and Americans must be enrolled in health insurance in 2018 to avoid paying a fine of $695 per uninsured adult, or 2.5% of household income (whichever is greater).
- Financial help to help consumers pay their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs – copays and deductibles – are still available. Nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in the last open enrollment period received some financial help to cover their premium costs.
- Consumer subsidies go up or down along with premium rates, so most consumers should not feel the premium increase in their wallet.
- Consumers who already have Marketplace coverage should come back to review the new plans available for 2018, rather than automatically re-enrolling. New plans and prices are available, so consumers should make sure they are enrolled in the best plan for their family’s medical needs and budget.
All plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace cover comprehensive care, including doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, preventive and rehabilitative care, and more.
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About the NC Navigator Consortium
The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 12 health care, social service and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Care Ring, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, and Pisgah Legal Services. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina. Learn more at NCNavigator.net.
Media Contacts
Sean Driscoll, 919-856-2132, Director of Public Relations, Legal Aid of North Carolina, seand@legalaidnc.org