Time to shop for federal subsidized health insurance

Kentuckians can shop and enroll for federally subsidized health-insurance coverage on the state-based marketplace, Kynect, starting Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Enrollment will be open through Jan. 16. Coverage for those who sign up on or before Dec. 15 will start Jan. 1, 2024. Those who sign up in the following month will get coverage starting Feb. 1.

Kentuckians who don't have coverage through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program, or the Pentagon's Tricare program can shop for individual coverage on Kynect.

All plans offered on the marketplace cover 10 essential health benefits, including emergency services, hospitalization, lab services, prescription drugs and certain no-cost preventive services.

State Cabinet for Health and Family Services maps; click to enlarge

Four carriers offer health-insurance plans through Kynect: CareSource, Passport by Molina Healthcare, WellCare of Kentucky and Anthem.

All counties have at least two carriers to choose from, with most counties having three carriers and many with four. Since last year, Passport has grown by 22 counties, and WellCare by 26.

98 of Kentucky's 120 counties have a choice of dental plans.

Under the qualified health plans offered on Kynect, no one can be dropped from coverage or have their premiums increased because of health issues.

More plans have been certified for 2024 than for 2023, and Anthem and Best Life will offer dental plans.

Not all plans are the same, noted Carrie Banahan, deputy secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, who encouraged consumers to visit kynect.ky.gov for details. "There's more to plans than the monthly premium," she said in a press release. "Make sure your doctors and other clinicians are in their network. Check out whether your favorite pharmacy is among their preferred."

Some plans new features or benefits, including enhanced diabetes coverage, fitness memberships and vision benefits. Telehealth is covered by all plans at differing out-of-pocket costs. Kentuckians still have access to the more generous financial assistance originally made available as part of the American Rescue Plan passed as a result of the pandemic.

Open enrollment in a qualified health plan overlaps with other annual enrollment periods, including Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries may make changes through Dec. 7 and enrollment choices take effect Jan. 1.

For enrollment assistance, visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328. You may also get help at your local Department for Community Based Services office, from a kynector or a licensed health-insurance agent.