Pisgah Legal Services Assisting with Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment

Pisgah Legal Services is again helping local people sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance – and they are seeing incredible savings thanks to the American Rescue Plan. Open Enrollment began Nov. 1 and lasts until Jan. 15.

 

What’s new this year?

• New provider options for plans
• New savings – and many folks who didn’t qualify for financial help in the past are finding great plans
• The enrollment period is longer – until Jan. 15

Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance

 

(Asheville, NC) – Little did Joellen know that she could be saving $10,000 a year in health insurance costs until she met Claire Kolberg, a navigator for Pisgah Legal Service’s Health Justice program, which helps people in Western North Carolina (WNC) sign up for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance, and access new savings.

 

“I really didn’t think that I needed any help,” said Joellen. “I told Claire that I had signed up for the ACA in January of 2021, and that I thought I had filled everything out correctly. She asked if I would mind if she could be my second pair of eyes. I said yes, but I didn’t think anything would come of it.”

 

With Claire’s help, Joellen kept her original plan but paid significantly less. “Before I talked to Claire, health care was my biggest expense. But after I spoke with her, I was paying close to $10,000 a year less!” 

 

The HealthCare.gov Marketplace’s Open Enrollment Period is now, when people throughout WNC, and the country, can sign up for quality, affordable health insurance for 2022, but they must act before the Jan. 15 deadline.

 

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, people are seeing significantly reduced monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs. During the Special Open Enrollment Period that just ended in August of this year, 2.8 million people took advantage of these new savings with more than half of them finding plans for $10 or less/month.

Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal’s Health Justice Program Director, says, “Not only have the savings been extended, we are seeing people secure zero-dollar and $10/month plans. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, people who never qualified in the past are finding quality, affordable plans, and we are thrilled to help them get coverage for themselves and their families.”

She continues, “In addition, this year many new plans from different health care providers are being offered to people in WNC, so we encourage folks to at least take a look at their options. They have nothing to lose, and the help is absolutely free.”

Cornelius adds, “The Open Enrollment is longer - until January 15 this year - but signing up before December 15 will secure a plan that starts January 1 and get folks covered for all of next year.”

Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.

Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.