Here's local help to apply for Affordable Care Act insurance [Akron Beacon Journal]

Local help is available for people looking for Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage options through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

AxessPointe Community Health Centers last year stopped in-person free group enrollment workshops due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to individual appointments. The counselors found that was more helpful for people, so this year there are again in-person appointments and counselors who also will travel to see people, said Marihelyn Horrigan, community impact manager who oversees the workers.

The agency's community health workers received certification application counselor training so they could help clients with insurance and other needs, Horrigan said.

Information you need when you apply for coverage includes: your annual taxable household income, the names and addresses of all places of employment, ability to access a personal email account, the dates of birth and Social Security numbers of all household members, whether each person is applying for health coverage or not, and appropriate immigrant documents. Visit www.Healthcare.gov for additional information.

Here is how to make an appointment:

** To reach the Arlington office in Akron at 1400 S. Arlington St., call 330-800-6905.

** For the Barberton office at 390 Robinson Ave., call 330-730-6882.

** For the Kent office at 143 Gougler Ave., call 234-788-4438

AxessPointe counselors also can help consumers sign up for Medicaid services year-round.

Two area agencies also have certified application counselors who can help any consumer apply for an ACA plan by appointment. Call Asian Services in Action Inc.'s Akron office at 330-535-3263. In Canton, call Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center at 330-454-2000, ext. 242 or 280.

Information about available plans in your area and assistance with enrollment can be found at www.healthcare.gov or www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov for information in Spanish. Additionally, consumers can call the Marketplace Call Center at 800-318-2596 for assistance or to enroll.

Local assistance, including a list of insurance brokers in your area, also can be found at https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.

Insurance brokers can assist with enrollment, but be aware they are working on commission for private insurers.

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher

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