ACA enrollment begins Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

Nov. 01--Lehigh Valley residents can start buying insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace Thursday. The region will have more options through Capital BlueCross, Highmark, Geisinger and a new insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC. Here's what you should know about this enrollment period:

1. Premiums went down in the Lehigh Valley. Depending on the plan, costs decreased by as much as 25 percent. But if you receive financial assistance, government subsidies may decrease to match lower costs. It's best to shop around.

2. The enrollment period will run until Dec. 15. Plans can be purchased at healthcare.gov.

3. You no longer have to pay a penalty for not having insurance.

4. You can get help navigating the system. The Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley will host an insurance registration event at the Allentown Public Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. Consumers can get help signing up for insurance plans. The event will also offer diabetic education, oral cancer screenings, blood pressure screenings and free flu shots.

5. The Consumers' Checkbook helps you compare rates, find plans that include your doctors, and calculate your subsidy to show your out-of-pocket monthly cost. Here's the link: https://pa.checkbookhealth.org/hie/pa/2019/.

6. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department offers resources and enrollment help on its website: insurance.pa.gov.

Bhuang@mcall.com

610-820-6745

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