Kaptur, Local Leaders Announce Healthcare Open Enrollment Events in Toledo, ACA Updates

Marketplace currently open, three Toledo events scheduled this week

WASHINGTON, D.C.— With an important health insurance enrollment deadline less than two weeks away, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), President and COO of Mercy St. Anne Hospital Brad Bertke, Toledo/Lucas County CareNet Assistant Director Julie Grasson and others held an event at Mercy St. Anne Hospital today to urge residents hoping to enroll or re-enroll to take action. December 15^th is the sign-up deadline to qualify for coverage that starts January 1, 2016.

“To ensure you have health insurance starting January 1^st of next year, you must sign up or renew your plan by December 15^th,” said Rep. Kaptur. “You can continue to sign up after that deadline, but your coverage will not begin until at least the following month. It can be important for anyone currently facing a health challenge to get covered as soon as possible. That is why having in-person enrollment assistance available this week here in Toledo and across Ohio is so important.”

“In our outreach efforts over the past couple of years, we’ve seen firsthand the real impact the Affordable Care Act has had in the lives of Toledo residents,” said Mercy St. Anne President and COO Brad Bertke. “If anyone is interested in talking with a trained professional, please attend one of our Mercy Health enrollment events happening on December 7, December 10, and December 12. You can RSVP by calling 877-918-5400.”

Three events will be held in Toledo this week to help residents learn about their health options as well as the new resources available to them for this open enrollment period. Open enrollment for 2016 coverage runs from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. After the December 15^th deadline, anyone who enrolls before January 15^th can still get coverage that kicks in on February 1^st.

Toledo Enrollment Events:

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 6 in 10 Buckeyes will be able to buy a plan for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits, and more than 8 out of 10 returning Buckeyes could save an average of $923 annually in premiums, before tax credits, for a plan in the same level of coverage. For 2016, Ohio consumers can choose from 17 issuers, up from 16, and an average of 81 plans.

Since the Affordable Care Act’s coverage provisions took effect, an estimated 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage—the largest reduction in the uninsured in four decades.

For more information on the Health Insurance Marketplace, please visit healthcare.gov and to find a local assister, please visit https://www.getcoveredamerica.org/connector. For customer service support, to start or finish an application, compare plans, enroll or ask a question, call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more USDHHS Region V updates, be sure to follow @HHSRegion5 on Twitter and use the hashtag #GetCovered.

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