— from Pegi Groundwater —
The deadline for getting health insurance in place for the first of the year under the new Affordable Care Act is Tuesday, December 23.
If your health plan has notified you that they are terminating your health plan at the end of the year, then you must have selected your new plan and paid your first premium by Dec. 23.
Do you need help getting insurance under the new Affordable Care Act? Are you confused about the insurance options that are available to you? Are you having trouble using the Washington HealthPlanFinder website?
Trained volunteers will be at the Orcas Public Library to help you on the following dates:
Saturday, December 14 from 10 until 11:45 a.m.;
Monday, December 16 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.;
Wednesday, December 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m;
Friday, December 20 from 12 to 2 p.m.
In addition, there are three locations in Eastsound where islanders who have been trained on using the Washington HealthPlanFinder are available to help you apply online for your insurance. You can find out if you are eligible for free health care or for tax credits to reduce your insurance cost. To get help,
just contact: Orcas Medical Center (376-2561), Orcas Family Health Center (376-7778), Orcas Medical Center (376-2561)and Orcas Family Connections (376-3184).
I just met with one of the volunteers and they were very helpful. We have an account setup at the WA Health Exchange, and are doing some homework to select a plan that has our doctors and some of the good hospitals in the area as part of their Preferred Provider Network. Deep gratitude to the volunteers for helping us all get on board.