People impacted by Helene granted special enrollment period for health insurance

RUTHERFORDTON — Persons who lived in an area affected by Hurricane Helene, can enroll in 2025 ACA health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace by Feb. 16 thanks to a Special Enrollment Period.

Free help understanding your options and signing up is available.

Pisgah Legal Services, a local nonprofit, provides free support with ACA enrollments and Medicaid for residents of Rutherford County and all of Western North Carolina (WNC), including individuals who lost their coverage due to job losses caused by Hurricane Helene.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care.

Appointment can be made now by visiting www.pisgahlegal.org/health or calling 828-210-3404. Bilingual Navigators are available to assist in Spanish, and free translation services are available for speakers of other languages.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services.

Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigator Consortium. The organization has an office located at 169 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton.