Shortened Affordable Care Act health insurance enrollment period begins Nov. 1 through Dec. 15
But Rootring of Perry Township is unsure how much more her current
Rootring and other consumers are facing higher costs this year and other challenges as cuts to programming by the Trump administration and changes upheld as recently as last week will increase health-care costs for consumers.
About 12 million Americans, including 238,843 Ohioans, are enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans, which are available for those without health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid or other source.
Under the ACA, most Americans are required to carry health insurance or face a potential financial penalty when they file their taxes.
The program has become a hot political issue while advocates say health-care needs for consumers are being lost in the shuffle.
In a study released last week by consulting firm
Rootring, 62, said her insurance costs for her family of three used to be
Her husband now is covered by Medicare.
For Rootring, going without insurance is not an option.
"Whatever those people in
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act plans begins
Changes in D.C.
The time frame for this year's open-enrollment period has been cut in half, compared to the time allotted under President
Sign-up season comes after President
The canceled payments, or subsidies, were upheld Wednesday by a federal judge, who denied a request by state attorneys general to order the payments immediately restored.
Some critics of the Affordable Care Act are glad about the changes.
Show of support
"I have watched my premiums go from the
Earlier in September, the Trump administration also announced sharp cuts, including cutting
The website (http://www.healthcare.gov) to shop and enroll for plans will be shut down for maintenance for 12 hours nearly every Sunday -- from
The computerized system allows consumers to compare plans and determine whether they qualify for financial help to get insurance.
Adding to the uncertainty this open-enrollment period, about 40 percent of federal funding for "navigators" who helped consumers research and sign up for the plans, was cut.
As a result, many local organizations that had offered consumer assistance this year had to pull out or scrounge for other funds to offer limited unofficial helpers.
Politics criticized
Jensen and Gunnoe believe AxessPointe is the only agency in
AxessPointe has set up several free public fairs in coming weeks. Anyone can use their ACA counseling services, not just patients.
They also fear that many consumers will find that the premiums and costs for ACA plans will be too high, and they will have to opt out of insurance coverage.
Gunnoe said it is important for consumers to look at what's available on the marketplace and not to assume the coverage they already have will be the same.
"If they roll over their same plan, they may not get the same advantage for their premium tax credit," Gunnoe said. "Go in and see if there's something better this year. I'm not sure there will be."
The Affordable Care Act has been good, said
"I just hate to see the road it's taking now, especially since we're a health center," she said. "This has become political and not about people's health."
Looking for enrollment aid for Affordable Care Act plans? See a list of places, times and events in the
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