PLAINVILLE – Rooks County Health Center offers assistance for individuals without health insurance find private health insurance during the national open enrollment period from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. RCH’s Certified Application Counselor, Cricket Rice, helps people complete the application process to enroll in the health insurance of their choice.
“Having health insurance not only protects you from unexpected medical costs, it helps you pay less than you would have had to pay without insurance and you have access to free preventative care like vaccines, screenings and checkups,” explained Rice.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the nation’s uninsured rate has been reduced by 45% and now stands as its lowest level ever. Recently 20 communities were assessed and challenged to help the uninsured become insured. Kansas City was the nearest city selected. In Missouri, 79 percent of people can find a plan for the monthly rate of $100 or less, 74 percent for $75 or less, and 68 percent for $50 or less for 2016. Kansas plans are comparable to these same rates according to Rice.
“The most important step is completing the application. Once the application is completed, you pick the plan you want and then coverage can begin as quickly as within 15 days depending on your date of enrollment,” said Rice.
Open enrollment began November 1 and applications can be submitted online at healthcare.gov. November 1 is also the time for those with existing health insurance plans from the Marketplace to keep or change it. For 2016 coverage to begin January 1, one must enroll by December 15. Open enrollment for all of 2016 ends January 31.
Enrolling in health insurance outside of the open enrollment period requires a life change such as getting married or divorced, becoming pregnant or a change in employment/income. For more information regarding qualifying life change events or private health insurance, contact Cricket Rice at Rooks County Health Center (785) 688-4443 or 1210 N. Washington Street in Plainville.