Mass health insurance enrollment dates set

Nov. 27--Area residents next week can get personal assistance to sign up for health insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act during a mass enrollment event in La Crosse for eight counties.

Although the deadline for open enrollment to comply with President Barack Obama's health care law isn't until March 31, sign up must be done by Dec. 15 to obtain coverage Jan. 1. Delaying it will push back coverage dates.

With that in mind, the Western Region Enrollment Network has set up a week in La Crosse with additional certified application counselors, said Lindsey Schwarz-Nichols, a La Crosse County social worker who coordinates the regional network.

The daily sessions are intended for the network counties of La Crosse, Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Pepin, Trempealeau and Vernon but are open to any Wisconsin resident, Schwarz-Nichols said.

Help also will be available for those who might be eligible for Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus and the Children's Health Insurance Program, she said.

The sessions will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in room B410, the county board chambers of the county administrative center, 400 Fourth St. N.

Individuals should bring all household participants' Social Security numbers or document numbers for legal immigrants, employer and income information such as pay stubs or W-2 forms for every household member who needs coverage, and policy numbers for any current health insurance plans.

They also should complete the "Employee Coverage Tool" in advance. The form can be found online at www.lacrossecounty.org./humanservices/aca under "Marketplace application checklist."

Additional information about the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare, and other local enrollment assistance in the eight counties can be found on the network website, www.lacrossecounty.org/humanservices/aca.

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