By Mark Richardson
The Biden administration has reopened the Health Insurance Marketplace for people who lost health insurance during the pandemic to get coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
Registration for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace is now available through May 15.
Health-care experts estimate 85% of eligible applicants will qualify for financial assistance with their premiums, and many also will qualify for help with deductibles and co-pays.
Allen Gjerfvig, director of navigator and enrollment services for Cover Arizona, said the Biden administration is restoring a key part of the program to publicize the special enrollment period.
“The new administration is going to put $50 million into marketing and advertising to help people understand that they have an opportunity if they’re uninsured to get covered,” Gjerfvig explained.
The Trump administration tried but failed to eliminate the ACA, although it did cut funding for key parts of the plan, including money for information and registration assistance.
Biden promised during the 2020 campaign to expand and improve the program.
Gjerfvig noted at the start of 2020, about 1 in 10 Arizonans did not have health insurance, and job losses caused by the pandemic may have increased that number.
“There are thousands of people in Arizona that could get a free Bronze plan. Their financial assistance for the premium would be 100% covered and they would also be receiving help to reduce those out-of-pocket expenses.”
Allen Gjerfvig, Cover Arizona
He added people who need coverage should go online and shop around.
“There are thousands of people in Arizona that could get a free Bronze plan,” Gjerfvig pointed out. “Their financial assistance for the premium would be 100% covered and they would also be receiving help to reduce those out-of-pocket expenses.”
Gjerfvig emphasized his group, Cover Arizona, is geared up to assist Arizonans during the special enrollment period, and as they say, operators are standing by.
“We also hold the only health-insurance navigator grant in the state,” Gjerfvig stressed. “We work with 180 different sites through our community health centers that all have certified application counselors.”
You can enroll directly with the Health Insurance Marketplace directly at healthcare.gov. If you need assistance, contact Cover Arizona and talk with a volunteer, or if you prefer, set up a face-to-face meeting.
Call 800-377-3536 or go to CoverAZ.org.
Public News Service – AZ
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