Obamacare enrollment begins

Nov. 02--SANFORD -- Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare is underway, allowing for new applications and for current beneficiaries to review plan options.

Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, started Tuesday, which allows for enrollment, re-enrollment, or changes to an existing insurance plan. Open enrollment will end Jan. 31 and coverage will take effect as soon as Jan. 1.

"Open enrollment gives people the opportunity to purchase coverage that might not be able to pay the full price," said Christie Terry, Adult Medicaid Supervisor with Lee County Department of Health and Human Services.

During the application process, applicants may qualify for Medicaid and will be referred to the Medicaid office. Once they are screened, a case worker will conduct a phone interview where they will highlight the requirements and documents needed to sign up for one of the income-driven plans.

Important dates to remember:

--Tuesday: Beginning of open enrollment where beneficiaries can apply for changes to current coverage.

--Dec. 15: Deadline in order to receive coverage beginning on Jan. 1. If applicants apply on Dec. 16, coverage would likely begin Feb. 1.

--Dec. 31: Coverage ends for 2016 plans, if beneficiaries do not change their plans they will be automatically renewed.

--Jan. 31: Last day to apply for coverage for 2017.

If applicants miss the deadlines they will not be able to enroll until November 2017, unless there has been a special "life event," such as child-birth, marriage or losing coverage through an employer. The individual mandate for those without health coverage is still in effect. The penalty is 2.5 percent of income or $695 per adult, whichever is higher.

"There are time limits to open enrollment and there is a shorter time period this year," said Terry, referring to the extension of 30 days for 2016 benefits. "I don't think people were aware of the open enrollment deadlines, nor were they aware of the monetary penalties that are deducted from their tax returns."

The Medicare open enrollment period has been open since Oct. 15 and will end on Dec. 7 with changes to coverage taking effect on Jan. 1.

"Open enrollment is the opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to evaluate their plan and save money for the following year," said State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

During the open enrollment period, beneficiaries can:

--Switch existing drug plans or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage.

--Switch Medicare Advantage plans.

--Adjust prescription drug coverage.

--Change from Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.

--Join a prescription drug coverage.

"The staff from SHIIP, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program, are available to help over the phone or in-person in all 100 counties in North Carolina," said Goodwin.

To review and compare plans, beneficiaries may:

--Get one-on-one help from a representative by calling 855-408-1212, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Beneficiaries may also request in-person assistance in the county of residence.

--Visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare current coverage with all available options and enroll in a new plan.

--Review the Medicare & You handbook that was mailed to beneficiaries in September.

--Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 877-486-2048.

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