​Uninsured North Carolinians who experience a qualifying life event may be eligible to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage before ACA enrollment re-opens in November

RALEIGH, April 4, 2016 – The Affordable Care Act’s third open-enrollment period ended Jan. 31, but some uninsured North Carolinians can still get coverage before enrollment reopens in November. Any uninsured consumer who experiences a qualifying life event can enroll in health coverage – right away – through the Health Insurance Marketplace through a “special enrollment period.”

Any of the following events could qualify an uninsured consumer to enroll in coverage through a special enrollment period:

• Moving outside of your coverage area
• Loss of current health coverage (for example, due to turning 26 years old or losing job-based coverage)
• Marriage or divorce
• The birth or adoption of a child
• A change in immigration status
• Problems or interruptions with your Marketplace coverage
• Other life-changing events

“We encourage North Carolinians who experience qualifying life events to utilize this opportunity to get covered instead of waiting until the next open enrollment,” said Jennifer Simmons, North Carolina Navigator Consortium Project Director. “In-person assisters are available across the state to answer consumers’ questions and help them make the best coverage decisions.”

“While the Affordable Care Act has helped over 613,000 North Carolinians get the peace of mind that comes with quality, affordable health coverage, special enrollment periods can help thousands more enroll right now,” said Sorien Schmidt, North Carolina Director for Enroll America. “Any uninsured consumer who thinks they have experienced a qualifying life event should act immediately – log on to healthcare.gov or schedule a time with an enrollment assister and find out what your options are to protect yourself and your family.”

Use the screener on HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

Individuals generally have 60 days from the date of the event to enroll in coverage. North Carolinians who have experienced a qualifying life event should report the change right away to the Marketplace by visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596. To prevent a gap in coverage, consumers can report certain life changes in advance, such as a move or loss of coverage. Anyone with questions can also sit down with a free, in-person enrollment assister that can walk them through the enrollment process and make sure they’re selecting the best plan for their needs and budget. To schedule an appointment, North Carolinians should call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit gcaconnector.org.

Across North Carolina, Legal Aid of North Carolina and Enroll America are working with volunteers and community organizations to ensure North Carolinians know about special enrollment periods and what it can mean for their coverage options if they experience a qualifying life event before open enrollment begins on November 1.

And for many North Carolinians, coverage is truly affordable. That’s because financial help is still available to lower their monthly premiums, just as it was during the recent open enrollment period.

Those who don’t have health insurance in 2016 may face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of their income – whichever is greater. And that’s on top of having to pay out of pocket for routine medical care and unexpected emergencies. So uninsured North Carolinians who experience a qualifying life event shouldn’t delay or risk paying high medical bills when they can have quality, affordable health insurance that will cover the essentials and protect them from the unexpected.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 14 health care, social service and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Cape Fear HealthNet, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Enroll America is the nation’s leading health care enrollment coalition. An independent nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Enroll America works with more than 6,700 partners in all 50 states to create cutting-edge tools, analyze data, inform policy, and share best practices in service of its mission: maximizing the number of Americans who enroll in and retain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Media Contacts
Lovemore Masakadza, Enroll America, 704-962-1253, lmasakadza@enrollamerica.org
Sean Driscoll, Legal Aid of North Carolina, 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org​

Only one week left before the Jan. 31 final deadline to enroll in coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace

RALEIGH, JAN. 24, 2017 – Tuesday, Jan. 31, is the final deadline for North Carolinians to enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace during the open-enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act. With just a week left, the clock is ticking and North Carolinians should act now to make sure they have time to shop around, consider their options, and enroll in the plan that best fits their needs and budget.

Following the election, many consumers have questions about the future of the Affordable Care Act, and their ability to enroll in quality, affordable health insurance. As of now, nothing has changed about the fourth enrollment period – not plans, not prices, and not dates. Anyone who enrolls in coverage by Jan. 31 will be able to use their coverage beginning March 1.

The North Carolina Navigator Consortium and Enroll America encourage North Carolinians to check out Affordable Care plans, which cover what they need and meet their budgets so they can have peace of mind knowing that they would be covered in the event of a medical emergency.

“Nothing has changed – North Carolinians can still enroll in Affordable Care Act plans and get financial help, but they need to act before the January 31 deadline,” said Jennifer Simmons, North Carolina Navigator Consortium Director. “The marketplace plans are affordable and meet consumers’ budgets. Over 540,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in this open-enrollment period as of January 14, but there is still time for more to get covered.”

“We have talked to some North Carolinians who have expressed concerns and asked questions about the future of the Affordable Care Act and their ability to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Marketplace after the elections,” said Enroll America North Carolina State Director Sorien Schmidt. “As of now, nothing about the Affordable Care Act marketplace has changed. People can still enroll in plans.”

Everybody’s needs and financial situations are different, and plans and prices change every year, so all North Carolinians should shop the options available to them. All Marketplace health plans are required to cover the basics – from preventive care, emergency services, prescriptions, and more. And quality protection comes at an affordable price for most North Carolinians, thanks to the financial assistance available to lower the cost of plans. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 of the over 530,000 people in North Carolina who signed up by December 24 are receiving financial help.

In order to help North Carolinians explore their options, there are a variety of resources available so that consumers can be confident that they are choosing the best plan for them. Free, local in-person help is available across North Carolina through certified assisters who can sit down one-on-one and answer questions about coverage and benefits. Scheduling an appointment is easy: simply use the Get Covered Connector tool and choose a convenient time and location or call 1-855-733-3711. Enroll America also offers a free, easy-to-use digital tool called the Get Covered Plan Explorer, which helps consumers navigate the plans available to them and estimate their total health care costs for the year so they can pick the plan that best fits their needs and budget.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 13 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians.

Enroll America is the nation’s leading health care enrollment coalition. An independent nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Enroll America works with more than 6,700 partners in all 50 states to create cutting-edge tools, analyze data, inform policy, and share best practices in service of its mission: maximizing the number of Americans who enroll in and retain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more at EnrollAmerica.org.

Media Contact
Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, Legal Aid of N.C., 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org

RALEIGH, September 6, 2016 – The NC Navigator Consortium, a group of 13 health care, legal aid and social service organizations, has been awarded a $2,444,703 federal grant to help North Carolina consumers enroll in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The grant will fund the consortium’s outreach and enrollment activities through September 2017.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced the 2016-2017 navigator grants today. The full list of grantees is available on the Centers’ website.

Legal Aid of North Carolina, a nonprofit civil legal aid organization, is the leader of the consortium and will administer the grant.

The funding will support a corps of about 200 navigators, who are trained to help consumers understand the details of plans available on the Health Insurance Marketplace, determine which plan will best meet their needs, apply for financial assistance, and complete the enrollment process.

Navigators meet with consumers in free, in-person, one-on-one, confidential sessions at convenient locations throughout the state. Strict security and privacy standards are in place to ensure that consumers’ personally identifiable information is protected.

The 2016-2017 open-enrollment period is the fourth since the Health Insurance Marketplace launched in 2013. The period runs from Nov. 1, 2016, to Jan. 31, 2017. Plans must be selected by Dec. 15, 2016, for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2017. Navigators are available to answer consumers’ questions throughout the year. Consumers can call North Carolina’s toll-free navigator hotline at 1-855-733-3711 or visit gcaconnector.org to schedule an in-person appointment with a navigator.

This year, in addition to providing general enrollment assistance, the Consortium will focus on conducting outreach to hard-to-reach populations, helping consumers re-enroll in coverage, and providing post-enrollment assistance by helping consumers understand, use and troubleshoot their new coverage.

Consumers currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan will be automatically re-enrolled unless they choose a new plan. The NC Navigator Consortium urges consumers to seek in-person assistance before automatically re-enrolling. Prices and options change each year, and a navigator can help consumers feel confident they are in the best plan for their family and are receiving the right financial help.

Consumers without health insurance at the end of the open-enrollment period may be subject to a fine on their 2016 tax return. The fine will be at least $695 per person, or 2.5 percent of the consumer’s income, whichever is greater. Some consumers may be eligible to have the fine waived. Navigators can help consumers apply for waivers.

The latest enrollment numbers from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that, as of March 31, there were 545,354 North Carolinians enrolled in health insurance plans purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Only California, Florida and Texas have more residents enrolled. Of the roughly half-million enrolled North Carolinians, 499,178 of them – 91.5 percent – are receiving financial assistance. Only five other states have higher rates of enrollees receiving financial assistance.

Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro​.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 13 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians.

Media Contacts

• Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, 919-856-2132
• Jennifer Simmons, Navigator Project Director, 919-863-1443

Free, in-person enrollment help available across NC

RALEIGH, DEC. 7, 2016 – North Carolinians who want to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace must enroll by Dec. 15 if they want their new coverage to begin on New Year’s Day. Consumers who need to re-enroll should also choose plans by Dec. 15 so they don’t experience any gap in coverage as the new year begins.

To help North Carolinians beat the deadline, in-person assisters are holding enrollment events across the state. For details, visit ncgetcovered.org/events/category/partner-events/.

The NC Navigator Consortium and Enroll America encourage all uninsured North Carolinians to take advantage of the quality plans and financial assistance available through the Affordable Care Act.

Here are five things every North Carolinian needs to know about getting covered by Dec. 15:

1. The Affordable Care Act is still the law. Some North Carolinians have expressed concerns and asked questions about the future of the Affordable Care Act and their ability to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Marketplace after the elections. As of now, nothing about the Affordable Care Act marketplace has changed – consumers can still enroll.
2. The first open-enrollment deadline is Dec. 15. The open-enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace lasts three months, from Nov. 1, 2016, until Jan. 31, 2017. During this time, North Carolinians are able to enter the Marketplace and select a plan that fits their needs and budget. North Carolinians who currently have coverage through the Marketplace or an individual plan outside the Marketplace will also have an opportunity to shop the new options available and find the best plan for them. Enrolling by Dec. 15 will guarantee that their coverage will start on New Year’s Day, providing them with the peace of mind that comes with protecting themselves and their families.
3. Free, local, in-person enrollment help is available to all North Carolinians. The enrollment process can be confusing for many, especially for those who have gone a long time without coverage. Luckily, there is free, in-person enrollment help available in your area. Navigators are certified, unbiased experts in your community who can sit down with you, explain your options, and help you make the best coverage decision for you and your family. Navigators can also help you re-enroll if you are already insured through the Affordable Care Act and want to keep your coverage or choose a new plan. You can find a navigator near you and make an appointment by calling 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or using the Get Covered Connector tool at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Connector.
4. 92% of North Carolinians got financial help to make their plan more affordable. For many North Carolinians, affordability is a real concern in their health care decision-making. In the past, high premium costs have forced many to go without health insurance simply because they could not afford it. The good news is that financial help is available to help you pay for your plan. In fact, as of March 2016, nearly 545,000 North Carolinians were enrolled in coverage, and 92 percent of them received financial assistance to make their monthly payments affordable. To find out if you qualify for financial assistance through the Affordable Care Act, check out the Get Covered Calculator tool at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Calculator.
5. Plans and prices change every year, and now you can easily compare your options. Everyone’s needs and financial situations are different, and the wide variety of plans can be intimidating. That’s why Get Covered America has introduced the Get Covered Plan Explorer, a free online plan comparison tool that can provide you with up-to-date and easy-to-understand information on your health coverage options. By answering a few simple questions about your household, the Plan Explorer will generate a list of available plans that meet your needs – including the plans that cover your doctors. The tool also takes into account the monthly premium and estimated out-of-pocket costs, so you’ll have a good idea of what you’ll pay throughout the year. Using side-by-side comparisons, you can be confident that you’re choosing the plan that best fits your needs and your annual budget. Explore your options now at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Explorer.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 13 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians.

Media Contact

Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, Legal Aid of N.C., 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org

RALEIGH – December 15, the first major deadline of this Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, is rapidly approaching, and uninsured North Carolinians who want to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace must enroll by that date if they want their new coverage to begin on New Year’s Day. For consumers who need to renew their coverage, December 15 is the deadline to choose a plan so they don’t experience any gap in coverage as the new year begins.

The North Carolina Navigator Consortium and Enroll America encourage all uninsured North Carolinians to take​ advantage of the quality plans and financial assistance available through the Affordable Care Act – or potentially face a fine for going without health insurance in 2016.

Here are five things every North Carolinian needs to know about getting covered by December 15:

1. The first open enrollment deadline is December 15.

The open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace lasts three months, from November 1 until January 31, 2016. During this time, North Carolinians are able to enter the Marketplace and select a plan that fits their needs and budget. North Carolinians who currently have coverage through the Marketplace or an individual plan outside the Marketplace will also have an opportunity to shop the new options available and find the best plan for them. Enrolling by December 15 will guarantee that their coverage will start on New Year’s Day, providing them with the peace of mind that comes with protecting themselves and their families.

2. 92% of North Carolinians got financial help to make their plan more affordable!

For many North Carolinians, affordability is a real concern in their health care decision-making. In the past, high premium costs have forced many to go without health insurance simply because they couldn’t afford it.

The good news is that financial help is available to help you pay for your plan. In fact, as of June 2015, nearly 460,000 were enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace, and 92% of them received financial assistance to make their monthly payments affordable. To find out how much financial assistance you qualify for through the Affordable Care Act, you can check out the Get Covered Calculator tool at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Calculator.

3. In-person help is available to help you understand your options and enroll in a plan.

The enrollment process can be confusing for many, especially if you’ve gone a long time without coverage. Luckily, there is free, in-person enrollment help available in your area. These are unbiased experts in your community who are certified to sit down with you, explain your options, and help you make the best coverage decision for you and your family. They can also help you renew your plan if you’re already insured through the Affordable Care Act and want to keep your coverage or choose a new plan. You can find someone near you and make an appointment by calling 1-855-733-3711 or using the Get Covered Connector tool at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Connector.

4. Plans and prices change every year, and now you can compare your options easily.

Everybody’s needs and financial situations are different, and the wide variety of plans can be intimidating. That’s why Get Covered America has introduced the Get Covered Plan Explorer, a free web-based plan comparison tool that can provide you with up-to-date and easy to understand information on your health coverage options.

By answering a few simple questions about your household, the Plan Explorer will generate a list of available plans that meet your needs – including the plans that cover your doctors. The tool also takes into account the monthly premium and estimated out-of-pocket costs, so you’ll have a good idea of what you’ll pay throughout the year. Using side-by-side comparisons, you can be confident that you’re choosing the plan that best fits your needs and your annual budget. Explore your options now at GetCoveredAmerica.org/Explorer.

5. You may face a fine come tax time if you remain uninsured.

This enrollment period is an opportunity to not only gain access to quality affordable healthcare for you and your family, but to also avoid paying a fine when you file your taxes. If you do not enroll in a plan by the final deadline of January 31, 2016, you could face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of your yearly income, whichever is greater. The fine will increase each year, making it more and more costly to delay complying with the law – on top of having to pay out-of-pocket for costly health services during the year. Enrolling in coverage could not only save your family $695 or more, but also provides covers free preventative care, prescription drug coverage, and other essentials for a healthy life.

You can learn more about the Affordable Care Act, your coverage options, and how you can help your friends and family get covered at GetCoveredAmerica.org.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 14 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Cape Fear HealthNet, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Enroll America is the nation’s leading health care enrollment coalition. An independent nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Enroll America works with more than 6,700 partners in all 50 states to create cutting-edge tools, analyze data, inform policy, and share best practices in service of its mission: maximizing the number of Americans who enroll in and retain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Media Contact: Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, 919-856-2132

Expert navigators available to help consumers enroll in ACA health insurance plans before open enrollment ends Jan. 31

MORGANTON, January 12, 2016 – Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Morganton office is holding a series of free enroll-a-thons (see below) in Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba and McDowell counties to help consumers enroll in affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act before the 2015-2016 open-enrollment period ends Jan. 31.

At the events, consumers can meet with certified health care navigators who are trained to help consumers understand the details of the plans available on the Health Insurance Marketplace, determine eligibility for financial assistance, complete the enrollment process and more.

The events are free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome, but consumers can schedule appointments by calling North Carolina’s toll-free navigator hotline at 1-855-733-3711 or visiting the Get Covered Connector.

To enroll in a health insurance plan, consumers will need to provide certain information for everyone who will be covered by the plan. This information includes social security numbers and dates of birth; names, addresses and contact information of employers; policy numbers for current health insurance plans (if any) and proof of household income.

Consumers without health insurance at the end of the open-enrollment period may be subject to a fine on their 2016 tax return. This year, the fine is increasing from $325 per person to $695 per person, or 2.5 percent of the consumer’s income, whichever is greater. Some consumers may be eligible to have the fine waived. Navigators can help consumers apply for waivers.

The enroll-a-thons in Newton and Hickory will be held in partnership with Catawba Family Care. The Marion enroll-a-thon will be held in partnership with the McDowell Health Coalition and the Council on Aging of Buncombe County.

Here is the list of upcoming enroll-a-thons:

• ​JAN 13: Eastern Catawba Cooperative, Christian Ministry, 245 E. N St., Newton, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• JAN 16: Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, 375 3rd St. NE, Hickory, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• JAN 19: Addie’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 201 Ridley St., Marion, ​2-6 p.m.
• ​JAN 21: CVCC Alexander Campus, 345 Industrial Blvd., Taylorsville, 1-9 p.m.
• JAN 23: Caldwell County Library, 120 Hospital Ave. NW, Lenoir, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• JAN 30: Frye Care, 1781 Tate Blvd., SE #101, Hickory, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium​ is a group of 14 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Cape Fear HealthNet, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access,HealthNet Gaston, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC,Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Media Contacts
Barbara Degen, Sr. Managing Attorney, Morganton Office, 828-437-8280 x2104
Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, 919-856-2132

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CA-NAV-15-001 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.

MARION, January 26, 2015 – Do you have to pay a fine for not having health insurance? Can you get financial help to pay for health insurance? If you have questions about the Affordable Care Act, come to a free health insurance information and enrollment event Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at the Corpening Memorial YMCA, 348 Grace Corpening Road, in Marion.

The Affordable Care Act requires everyone to have health insurance, pay a fine or receive an exemption from the fine. The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and the McDowell Hospital are partnering to help McDowell County residents understand the health care law and help them enroll in health insurance plans.

Individuals can make an appointment for a free, confidential meeting with a trained Affordable Care Act navigator who can help them review options and enroll in a health care plan. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible, but scheduling an appointment is recommended. Open enrollment for 2015 ends on February 15 so it is important to enroll as soon as possible.

Informal presentations about the health care law will be made in English at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and in Spanish at 7 p.m. No appointment is necessary to attend the presentations or stop by the event for general information about the Affordable Care Act.

One-on-one enrollment appointments can be scheduled by calling 828-437-8280, ext. 2103 or 1-855-733-3711. Appointments can also be made online at: http://connector.getcoveredamerica.org.

Those interested in enrolling in a health insurance plan should bring their Social Security or immigration document numbers, income information for every member of their household, policy numbers for current health insurance plans and any information about job-related health insurance available to the family.

###

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and remove legal barriers to economic opportunity.

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County (COA) is a non-profit organization providing services, support and information to help people meet the challenges of growing older. COA is dedicated to promoting independence, dignity and wellness for older adults through education, innovative programming, and coordination of resources. Learn more at www.coabc.org.

McDowell Hospital serves the health care needs of our community, giving comprehensive, cost-effective, quality care without regard to race, color, creed or ability to pay. Learn more at www.mcdowellhospital.org.

Media Contacts

Barbara Degen, 828-437-8280 x2104, barbarad@legalaidnc.org

Sean Driscoll, 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org​

RALEIGH – ​January 31, 2016, is the final deadline for North Carolinians to enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace during the third Affordable Care Act open-enrollment period. With just six days left, the clock is ticking and North Carolinians should act now to make sure they have time to shop around, consider their options, and enroll in the plan that best fits their needs and budget.

The North Carolina Navigator Consortium and Enroll America are urging North Carolinians to check out Affordable Care plans, which cover what they need and meet their budgets so they can have peace of mind knowing that in an event of medical emergencies they would be covered.

“The Affordable Care Act insurance continues to help many North Carolinians,” said Jennifer Simmons, North Carolina Navigator Consortium Director. “We have talked to consumers who have undergone life-saving surgeries using their coverage. The marketplace plans are affordable and meet consumers’ budgets. We enc​ourage uninsured North Carolinians to check out their options before the January 31 deadline so they can get covered.”

“So far, more than 569,000 North Carolinians have signed up for coverage during this open enrollment period – but there are still many who stand to benefit and need to take action before January 31,” said Get Covered America North Carolina State Director Sorien Schmidt. “Last year, we saw an unprecedented surge of interest leading up to the final deadline, and we expect to see the same this year as we approach the end of the month. That’s why we are encouraging people to start the process now to make sure there’s plenty of time from them to find the best plan for their family.”

To help North Carolinians learn about their options, there is free, in-person enrollment help available in communities across the state. Consumers can sit down face-to-face with unbiased local experts who can answer questions and help them make the best coverage decision for them and their families. They can also help people change plans if they are already insured through the Affordable Care Act and want to explore the new options available to them this year.

North Carolinians can find someone near them by calling 1-855-733-3711 or using the Get Covered Connector tool at getcoveredamerica.org/connector​.

During this open enrollment period, there are new plans and new prices available on the Health Insurance Marketplace, so North Carolinians should shop the options available to them. All Marketplace health plans are required to cover the basics – from preventive care, emergency services, prescriptions, and more. And quality protection comes at an affordable price for most North Carolinians, thanks to the financial assistance available to lower the cost of plans. In fact nearly 9 in 10 of the North Carolinians who have signed up so far are receiving financial help.

Those who don’t have health insurance in 2016 may face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of their income – whichever is greater. And that’s on top of having to pay out of pocket for routine medical care and unexpected emergencies. North Carolinians shouldn’t delay and risk paying the fine and high medical bills when they can have quality, affordable health insurance that will cover the essentials and protect them from the unexpected.

# # #

The NC Navigator Consortium​ is a group of 14 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Cape Fear HealthNet, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access,HealthNet Gaston, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC,Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Enroll America is the nation’s leading health care enrollment coalition. An independent nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Enroll America works with more than 6,700 partners in all 50 states to create cutting-edge tools, analyze data, inform policy, and share best practices in service of its mission: maximizing the number of Americans who enroll in and retain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Media Contact

Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, Legal Aid of North Carolina, 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CA-NAV-15-001 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.