Worth noting, Nov. 25, 2023

Nominate your 'Unsung Heroes' for a story in the Laramie Boomerang

We all have them — people in our lives who support us, the company we work for, the service group we belong to and our community as a whole in small, but vital ways.

We call them "Unsung Heroes," and for the second consecutive year, we want to be singing their praises through feature stories this holiday season. But to do that, we need your help.

To nominate someone in your life who you consider an "Unsung Hero," please send an email to news@laramieboomerang.com with the subject line "Unsung Heroes" and include their name, phone number and a few lines about why you think they deserve recognition. (We'd love to have your name and phone number, too, so we can interview you about why you suggested them, but we will accept anonymous nominations.)

In order to give us time to write these stories and have them ready for publication during the holiday season, we need you to send in your nominations no later than Monday, Nov. 27.

The Laramie Boomerang thanks you in advance for helping us recognize the "Unsung Heroes" in our community.

Enroll Wyoming offers free help with health insurance open enrollment

CHEYENNE — Now is the time many households are making important decisions about 2024 health coverage on the health insurance marketplace. Strict open enrollment deadlines are in play, and free assistance is available from Enroll Wyoming to answer questions and identify opportunities.

The health insurance marketplace exists to increase access to quality coverage and help more people afford health plans through cost savings including tax credits. The annual open enrollment period is the time when almost all people sign up for health plans.

Those wanting marketplace coverage to start on Jan. 1, need to enroll by Dec. 15. Otherwise, one has until Jan. 17 to enroll in coverage that will start by Feb. 2. While some may qualify for special enrollment outside of open enrollment, most will not. The best way to secure access to these lower-priced health plans is to enroll today.

Enroll Wyoming is a grant-funded nonprofit that helps people meet health coverage needs free of charge. It answers health insurance questions, outlines options and guides people through the enrollment process if consumers decide this solution best suits their situation.

"I like to have a conversation with the consumer when we start. I tell them a little bit about Enroll Wyoming but mostly I am listening to what their needs are and what they are looking for," Navigator Festi Edwards said. Based on what they are told, navigators check for marketplace eligibility, make sure coverage includes specific providers and prescriptions, and review costs so people can make informed decisions.

Enroll Wyoming works with a variety of people, including: uninsured or underinsured households; families who are looking for savings; workers thinking about early retirement; business owners who want to provide health care for employees; medical providers interested in out-of-pocket costs to patients; and those transitioning in or out of Medicare, Medicaid or the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Connect with an Enroll Wyoming navigator by calling 211 or visiting enrollwyo.org. The website offers additional information and resources to assist with open enrollment and other health insurance issues.

From Laramie Boomerang and Wyoming Tribune Eagle