ACA Enrollment Options Are Available for Iowans

posted by Bill Bumgarner on Sunday, November 5, 2017

Having healthcare insurance coverage enables patients to seek preventative wellness services, or to proactively schedule an appointment when a health concern first arises, in a more treatable stage.

In recent years, northwest Iowans who previously did not have insurance options have gained coverage through products available through the Affordable Care Act, including Iowa’s expanded Medicaid program.

While ACA choices are fewer in Iowa due to market and program administration factors, individuals and families in need of coverage are encouraged to explore their options.

The enrollment period for the national ACA marketplace began on November 1 and will run through December 15, 2017, which is six weeks less than last year’s enrollment period.  Those who are interested in coverage options should not delay enrollment process activities.

Spencer Hospital, Avera Medical Group Spencer, and Abben Cancer Center have personnel trained to help people with the ACA enrollment process, or for those who qualify, enrollment in Medicaid.  An individual can also directly assess or enroll in an ACA plan at healthcare.gov.

Despite reports of increasing premium levels, contacting an enrollment counselor is encouraged.  In some instances, coverage support subsidies increase along with premium levels.  Affordable options may still exist.  In addition, some people may be eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Spencer Hospital’s financial counselors can be reached at (712) 264-6259 or (712) 264-6128.

The Kaiser Family Foundation offers an uncomplicated interactive tool to assess potential eligibility for federal government insurance premium support payments at https://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/.