Today, Thursday, November 1 is the first day that people can sign up for health insurance for 2019 under the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment will close after December 15, 2018. There has been a lot of noise about health care this year, and most of it is confusing. Here are the facts:

1. Health insurance is available for 2019.
2. About 8 out of 10 people qualify for financial assistance to help cover health care costs, and in some cases the subsidies will cover the full premium.
3. There are experts available who are trained to help you select a plan and enroll in health insurance. Contact Covering Wisconsin to set up an appointment with local application assistors.
4. You must enroll by December 15^th if you want health insurance in 2019.
5. While there is no financial penalty for not having health insurance, comprehensive health insurance is important to protect yourself and your family—even if you’re healthy right now.
6. Be wary of insurance sold off the ACA Marketplace. Some insurance you can buy may be cheaper, but is not required to offer you the care you may need, such as mental health, prescription drugs, or maternity care. Those companies can also charge you more based on your health status. The safest option is to make sure you get your insurance through gov directly or by contacting a local application assistor.

Those who have been through open enrollment understand that window shopping on healthcare.gov is helpful, but having someone to sift through options with you is invaluable. Your plan may no longer be the best option for you, so even if you’re okay with your current plan you should shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Navigators and Certified Application Counselors have training and tools that help you to determine which insurance plan will best meet your health care needs and your budget. Remember, the vast majority of individuals and families who purchase health insurance through healthcare.gov will qualify for financial assistance, and some will find plans with monthly premiums between $0 and $100.

Navigators and Certified Application Counselors can help make sure your application is complete and can explain how you might qualify for financial assistance to keep your costs low. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered for next year:

• You can go to coveringwi.org/enroll to make an appointment to get help face-to-face or over the phone;
• Call 2-1-1 for assistance in booking an appointment for free, local help, or;
• Go to https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/#/ to find local individuals or organizations who can help you enroll in health insurance.

We encourage you to make your health a priority for 2019. Reach out to someone who can help and sign up for health insurance today!

William Parke-Sutherland