ACA special open enrollment period ends Aug. 15

Press release from Pisgah Legal Services: 

(Asheville, NC) – Now is the time to enroll in health coverage on HealthCare.gov before the August 15 Special Open Enrollment Period ends. More people than ever before are qualifying to get help paying for health insurance thanks to the American Rescue Plan.

In fact, more than two million Americans have signed up since February 15, with 1.2 million new and returning people finding coverage for $10 or less per month after advance payments of premium tax credits. On average, 40 percent of the North Carolinians consumers since April have signed up for plans for $10 or less/month.

Here in Western North Carolina, Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal Services’ Health Justice Program Director, says, “We are seeing many people who never qualified before get great plans with zero or very low deductibles. This is especially true for those who received unemployment benefits for at least one week in 2021 – – they are eligible for even more financial assistance to get $0 coverage for themselves and their families at any income level.”

She continues, “The peace of mind of having coverage for you and your loved ones is priceless. Folks need to act fast, but there is still time and trained assisters ready to help you for free. We just want people in our mountain region to get quality health care and the coverage they need.”
Free Help Is Available
Trained assisters are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by allHealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services.
Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services in 11 WNC counties and offers immigration and ACA health insurance assistance in 18 counties. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland and Rutherfordton. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.