Press release from Pisgah Legal Services:
Time is running out for those who need to sign up for health insurance during ACA Open Enrollment. Pisgah Legal Services, and other ACA Partners of WNC, can help with free, unbiased, in-person assistance taking place now through Jan. 31.
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, a nonprofit law firm, and other ACA Partners of WNC give local residents free, unbiased information about affordable options for health insurance. These organizations include: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society and WNC Community Health Services.
PLS ACA Manager Shannon Cornelius says, “This is the third ACA Open Enrollment, and we’ve helped thousands of local people and families over the past few years successfully sign up for health insurance.” She continues, “Our services are free and unbiased, and no one is selling anything. Our goal is to simply help people choose the plan that best suits their needs.”
Avoid the Fine – Sign 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 increase to $695/person or 2.5% of yearly household income, whichever is greater. Cornelius says, “Rather than paying the fine, it makes more sense to enroll in coverage and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are covered.”
Pisgah Legal Services wishes to thank the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust for awarding the organization a grant of $154,450 to help fund this important work. The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and is now one of the largest private trusts in North Carolina. Its mission is to improve the quality of life and quality of health for the financially needy of North Carolina. The Health Care Division promotes wellness state-wide by investing in prevention and treatment. The Poor and Needy Division of the Trust responds to basic life needs and invests in solutions that improve the quality of life and health for financially needy residents of Forsyth County. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as sole trustee.
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CA-NAV-15-001 from the 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.
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 visitwww.pisgahlegal.org.
#GetCoveredStayCovered January 2016 Events Around WNC (See below)
Local residents can attend for free, un-biased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. Walk-ins are welcome as well as reserved appointments.
Appointments for these events – or individual appointments for other dates and times – can be made by calling toll-free: 855-733-3711
or make an appointment online at www.pisgahlegal.org/free-legal-assistance/aca/
When and where:
Jan. 13th 8am-5pm Eastern Catawba Ministries (Newton)- 245 E. North St. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 15th 8:30am-6pm Pisgah Legal Services (Hendersonville)- 440 S. Church St. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 16th 9am-5pm Patrick Beaver Library (Hickory)- 375 3rd St NE Call 855-733-3711
- 9am-3pm Pisgah Legal Services (Hendersonville)- 440 S. Church St. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 18th 9am-5pm Pisgah Legal Services (Asheville)- 62 Charlotte St. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 19th 2-6pm Addie’s Chapel (Marion)- 201 Ridley St. Call 855-733-3711
- 2-7pm Hudson Library (Highlands)- 554 Main St. Call 828-400-4177
Jan. 21st 1-9pm CVCC Alexander Campus (Taylorsville)- 345 Industrial Blvd. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 23rd 9am-5pm Caldwell County Library (Lenoir)- 120 Hospital Ave. NW Call 855-733-3711
- EN ESPAÑOL 9:30am-2pm Pisgah Legal Services (Hendersonville)- 440 S. Church St. Llame al 855-733-3711
- 2-7pm Nantahala Library (Topton)- 128 Nantahala School Rd. 828-400-4177
Jan. 26th 12-8pm Legal Aid of North Carolina (Morganton) 211 E. Union St. Call 855-733-3711
Jan. 28th 1-7pm Haywood Co. Library (Waynesville)- 678 S. Haywood St. Call 452-1447 x126
Jan. 30th 9am-5pm Pisgah Legal Services (Asheville)- 62 Charlotte St. Call 855-733-3711
- 9am-3pm Pisgah Legal Services (Hendersonville)- 440 S. Church St. Call 855-733-3711
- 9am-6pm Frye Care (Hickory)- 1781 Tate Blvd. SE #101 Call 855-733-3711
- 9:30am-3:30pm First Methodist Church (Brevard)- 325 N. Broad St. Call 855-733-3711
- 10am-2pm Polk County Library (Columbus)- 1289 W. Mills St. Call 828-513-0710
Jan. 31st 10:30am-5pm Pisgah Legal Services (Asheville)- 62 Charlotte St. Call 855-733-3711
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