Since the adoption of the Affordable Care Act in March of 2010, about 18 million Americans nationwide who otherwise would not have health insurance are now covered. The number of Nebraskans who have enrolled and maintained coverage after the second enrollment period is about 74,000. With such large numbers, we hope that the success will continue and be built upon through the third enrollment period. Beginning November 1st, 2015, and running through January 31st, 2016, this third enrollment period will be an opportunity for an 136,000 uninsured Nebraskans to get covered through the Marketplace.
Enroll Nebraska wants all Nebraskans, uninsured and insured, to understand their individual situation and be aware of their options. This means more than just announcing important dates and penalty fees that are beginning to increase for those who haven’t purchased coverage.
Enroll Nebraska wants every Nebraskan to know where, when, and with whom they can meet in-person and for free, to discuss their health insurance situation. Enrollment assisters (Certified Application Counselors and Health Care Navigators) are health insurance specialists located across the state that are here to help you walk through what could be an unfamiliar process of enrolling in health care.
To help with this, Enroll Nebraska coordinates a state map of Enrollment Assisters. This map provides the locations, hours, phone numbers, addresses and will soon provide language assistance information of enrollment assisters across the state. Simply find your location by zooming in, look for the location nearest your community, and call to set up an appointment.
Enroll Nebraska also realizes that many people have incomes that leave them unable to get subsidies to afford health insurance through the ACA. It is for these people that we have created a state map of sliding scale clinics. Health centers that use “sliding fee scales” provide discounts based on “patient family size, and income in accordance with federal poverty guidelines.”
Enroll Nebraska is working hard to spread the word about health insurance and the alternatives for those without coverage. If you know someone who could benefit from these maps or other healthcare-related information, share this information and let them know they have a friend in the industry. Once this happens, we will be that much closer to making sure everyone will have an opportunity to work toward “the good life” in Nebraska.