From Pisgah Legal Services:
ACA Open Enrollment Begins November 1!
Sign Up for Health Insurance Nov. 1, 2016 – Jan. 31, 2017 and Avoid Penalties — Free Kick-off Events Happening Around WNC on Nov. 12ASHEVILLE – Do you have questions about choosing affordable, quality health insurance? Pisgah Legal Services, and other ACA Partners of WNC, can help with free, unbiased, in-person assistance for the Affordable Care Act’s Fourth Open Enrollment, taking place from Nov. 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017.
Appointments can be made by calling toll-free: 855-733-3711 or make an appointment online at www.pisgahlegal.org/free-legal-assistance/aca/.
Free, In-Person Help is Available with Trained Professionals
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), a nonprofit law firm, and other ACA Partners of WNC participating organizations give local residents free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Pisgah Legal Services, Western Carolina Medical Society and WNC Community Health Services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BC/BS) is now the sole health insurance provider for people living in the counties of Western North Carolina, but multiple plans will be available.
PLS Managing Attorney Jaclyn Kiger says, “Premiums are rising this year, however subsidies are also increasing to help offset those costs. People need to visit the Marketplace to find out if they as individuals or families qualify to receive financial assistance and to review the new plans that are being offered. Whether you need to switch your plan to BC/BS or sign up for the first time, we are help to help with free, in-person assistance with our trained assisters.”
She continued, “Last year 92 percent of North Carolinians who enrolled for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace received financial assistance to make their plans more affordable.”
Many uninsured area residents now have access to affordable health coverage through the health insurance marketplace created by the federal Affordable Care Act. According to Enroll America, 12.7 million Americans enrolled for 2016 coverage, up from 11.7 million in 2015 and 8 million in the first open enrollment period.
Avoid Upcoming Penalties by Signing Up Now
Those who have not signed up for health insurance will face penalties which will be deducted from tax refunds. In 2016 the fees will be $695/per adult or 2.5 percent of the person’s yearly household income.
Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal aid since 1978 to help low-income people meet their basic needs, such as protection from domestic violence, avoiding homelessness, finding safe housing, and accessing health care and subsistence income. For more information, call Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or toll free at 800-489-6144 or visit www.pisgahlegal.org.
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